To the Editor:
The growing rate of deaths in Maine due to drug overdose is desensitizing us to the tragedy of each individual loss. Day after day, week after week we hear from a friend or read an obituary that another young person has died, often, an unexpected death. When will enough be enough?
There are no easy answers. On Thursday evening May 11 at 6:30 pm at the Caribou Performing Arts Center, Cary Medical Center, working with a number of partnering agencies including the Aroostook Mental Health Center, Life by Design, the Caribou Police Department, the Power of Prevention, the Aroostook Substance Abuse Prevention Program and more will host a Town Hall style community meeting to begin a ‘grass roots’ effort focused on engaging all of us in creating a “Recovery Community.”
Building on our strengths and creating new approaches, improving outreach and treatment, working together as concerned citizens we hope to end the dark stigma associated with substance abuse and bring it into the light of compassion and hope. This will be a volunteer effort and we are asking the question, “Can we count on you?” If not me, then who? If not now, when?
No one can predict the next unexpected death or hospitalization resulting from drug overdose. Addiction is a disease and like any other it must have increased access to treatment. Those in recovery must find counseling and opportunity, families must have support and all of us must recognize the epidemic nature of the problem. It is on all of us, and with all of us working together, we can stem this growing tide of grief and loss. Eleven years ago, nearly 2,000 Caribou area residents came together and listened and we began a process — our work is not done. We need people to commit to using their skills, their ideas, their compassion, their humanity, and their time because money is not going to solve this problem.
We hope that everyone who is concerned about this issue will attend the May 11 meeting at 6:30 pm at the Caribou Performing Arts Center. We invite those who have suffered loss due to substance abuse, those who are in recovery, those who are in the treatment community, health care providers, faith based organizations, parents, grandparents, students, those who are struggling with addiction, and we need to hear the voices of everyone. We live in a wonderful community, there is great generosity and kindness here, we are a community rich in faith traditions, we pride our community on low crime and family values, this is the legacy of those who came before us. It is now our turn to preserve that legacy and confidently face this tragic reality of drug abuse and drug overdose. Time is of the essence. Please join us. There is no need to register, there is no fee, and we will have plenty of room, just come. This meeting will be only the beginning of a long-term effort. During the meeting we will ask people to sign up for volunteer committees that will begin meeting the next week. Many hands make light work, and even if you can give 2-4 hours per month you can make a difference. Without action, 2017, like 2016, will make history for the number of lives claimed by drug overdose in Maine. We can change the future. It is in our hands.
Bill Flagg
Caribou
