MAINE CAN WIN DRUG FIGHT

But Ending Drug and Alcohol Abuse Will Be Hard Work

The alarming rate of drug related deaths in Maine, as recently reported by
state officials and the media, has caused many in our communities to
finally step up and take notice. No longer can we deny or ignore that
alcohol and drug abuse has woven itself into the fabric of our daily lives.
No one is immune to the problem, nor can we isolate it geographically,
socially, culturally or economically.

Maine's alcohol and drug abuse problem is an ugly reality that we must face
head on. While we are not alone in this fight, Maine is one state that is
well positioned to take the lead, if we choose to. Our consolidated efforts
to this end need to muster the array of resources already in place and
seriously invest in those that are inadequate or missing.

It is the Substance Abuse Services Commission's belief that the following
action steps can make an immediate positive difference in Maine's efforts
to combat alcohol and drug abuse in our communities.

1. Maine policy makers must concede that we, indeed, have a serious problem
with alcohol and drug abuse and agree to make a concerted commitment,
measured in both time and resources, to address it.

2. Alcohol and drug treatment services must be a cornerstone of our health
care reform efforts, both locally and nationally. Research has already
proven that "addictions treatment . . . will save enormous sums in the long
run" (Rutgers 2002). This is not to mention scores of lives that will be
positively affected.

3. A comprehensive inventory of all of Maine's existing resources and
assets needs to be taken and further consolidated under a single authority
(i.e. a Cabinet-level Office of Substance Abuse). This single authority
will assure that resources are maximized and coordinated effectively.

4. Implement initiatives already started at the Maine Statewide Summit on
Alcohol and Other Drugs, held in December, 2002. These include looking at
new legislative initiatives, alternative funding sources, peer panels, drug
courts, involuntary commitment, services to youth, expanding treatment and
prevention programming, electronic prescription monitoring and broadening
drug free workplace policies.

5. Involve all stakeholders in the process of addressing our drug and
alcohol abuse problems to include, schools, medical and pharmaceutical
professionals, insurance sector, business community, law enforcement,
courts, treatment providers and the recovering community, among others.

Maine stands at a major crossroads in deciding its fate. The devastating
impact of alcohol and drug addiction is playing itself out daily in our
families and our communities.

Despite this troubling trend, it is important to recognize that we do,
indeed, possess the talent, resource potential and knowledge to effectively
combat this problem. We know, for example, that substance abuse treatment
and prevention programs work; only more of such positive initiatives are
needed. Implementing the above action steps will make an immediate positive
difference in our campaign to remediate drug and alcohol abuse in our state.