Maine Tops Nation in Treatment Admissions for Prescription Painkillers

Surprise surprise!

 

Maine Tops Nation in Treatment Admissions for Prescription Painkillers

January 11, 2011

 

New government data shows that Maine consistently outstripped other states over the past decade when measured by the number of residents seeking treatment for prescription painkillers, the Bangor Daily News reported Jan. 4.

The report, conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), reviewed national trends in admissions to treatment for substance abuse between 1998 and 2008.

In 1998, only 28 per 100,000 Maine residents sought treatment for non-heroin opiate addiction. By 2008, that ratio had jumped to 386 per 100,000 residents — well above the national average of 45 per 100,000.

“At this point,” said Guy Cousins, who directs the Maine Office of Substance Abuse, “prescription drugs are nearly as readily available as alcohol in Maine homes.”

Cousins’ office has conducted a multi-pronged campaign to address the problem; it educates doctors and other prescribers of the drugs, monitors and tracks prescriptions to eliminate “doctor-shopping” and over-prescription, and promotes the adoption of alternative pain management approaches, including methadone and the opiate replacement drug Suboxone.

The agency also works with law enforcement and community partners to hold drug takeback programs to reduce the number of prescription drugs diverted from patients to the black market.

via Maine Tops Nation in Treatment Admissions for Prescription Painkillers.

Waldoboro to consider ordinances for methadone clinics, marijuana dispensaries – Andrew Benore – Rockland – Camden – Knox – The Herald Gazette

“Amazingly a woman from Waldoboro actually asked me to attend this meeting…apparently she had no idea that I take methadone.  Isn’t that interesting, considering  people act like a methadone clinic is going to breed walking zombies who feed on young children or something-yet she had no idea that I take it, even though I was standing right near her!”-quote from MMT patient in Maine

Waldoboro to consider ordinances for methadone clinics, marijuana dispensaries – Andrew Benore – Rockland – Camden – Knox – The Herald Gazette.

Waldoboro to consider ordinances for methadone clinics, marijuana dispensaries

By Andrew Benore | Jan 05, 2011 

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The Waldoboro Planning Board will hold an ordinance review discussion on methadone clinics and marijuana dispensaries the day after residents vote at a special town meeting on a moratorium for those operations.

The Waldoboro Planning Board will meet Wednesday, Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. at the town office to review the town’s ordinances as they apply to methadone clinics and marijuana dispensaries.

A special town meeting to vote on a moratorium for methadone clinics and marijuana dispensaries will be held Tuesday, Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. at the Miller School.

A six-month moratorium would temporarily prohibit methadone clinics and marijuana dispensaries from opening in Waldoboro and give the town time to review, and possibly change, land use ordinances to regulate those businesses.

Currently, a methadone clinic in Waldoboro would fall under the category of medical offices in the land use ordinance. Medical offices are permitted in six of 10 of the town’s districts, including the historic village, rural village business, village, downtown business, Route 1 Commercial A and Route 1 Commercial B.

The moratorium is designed to give the town time to review and develop regulations for methadone clinics and marijuana dispensaries. The methadone clinic moratorium directs the planning board and other groups to “study the land use requirements of methadone treatment facilities and to consider what locations might be appropriate for such facilities.”

Facing pressure of a methadone clinic in Warren, residents of that town voted on Dec. 13 to approve a moratorium, which retroactively covered the clinic proposal from CRC Health Group.

Meeting Planned to Discuss Proposed Lewiston Methadone Clinic | Maine News, Sports, Weather – Portland, ME – WPFO FOX23 – MyFOXMaine.com | Maine

I  love this!~  A bowling alley (that most likely sells beer) is worried about the clinic being next to them!  Talk about NIMBY!

 

 

Meeting Planned to Discuss Proposed Lewiston Methadone Clinic | Maine News, Sports, Weather – Portland, ME – WPFO FOX23 – MyFOXMaine.com | Maine.

 

Meeting Planned to Discuss Proposed Lewiston Methadone Clinic

By News 13

Story Created: Jan 12, 2011 at 8:31 AM EST

Story Updated: Jan 12, 2011 at 8:31 AM EST

Barring a weather cancellation, a meeting is planned tonight between concerned Lewiston residents and Community Substance Abuse Centers, the Massachusetts company behind a proposed methadone clinic in town.

Community Substance Abuse Centers scheduled the meeting for neighboring businesses, owners, and tenants to discuss their plans to open a facility on Mollison Way. The location has raised concerns among residents, including the manager of the neighboring bowling alley.

The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Ramada Inn on Pleasant Street.