The opioid crisis hurts families, our neighbors and our communities. This is not news. We’ve heard about how people struggle with addiction, especially across New England and in Maine. This problem won’t be solved with one piece of legislation, or one advocate for reform.
As a social worker with more than 40 years of experience, I’ve worked with people who have serious addictions get the help they need. I’ve learned through my experiences that there is not a one-size-fits-all treatment plan, because everyone deals with addiction differently and faces their own unique challenges. I know that people cannot become sober alone — they need the support and help of their family, friends, probation officers, case workers, other systems in their life.
The Biddeford and surrounding areas are taking an innovative approach to combating this disease. I want people to know about some of the resources we have in place to help those who are struggling with opioid addiction.
The first program that I believe is absolutely essential for people to know about is People Recover. This is a program run by Maegan Lambert-Irish, who has a background in addiction counseling.
People Recover is a municipal-run program in the Biddeford and Saco area that serves as a first step people can take if they or a family member or friend is struggling with addiction. Lambert-Irish makes sure that those who are seeking treatment find the best fit for them and understand what their treatment entails every step of the way.
Many people may want to get help, but it is a daunting process that can be disheartening. We need to set up these folks for success to help them be contributing members of society again, and Lambert-Irish has the right mindset.
You can reach People Recover by calling 710-1785 or emailing Maegan.Lambert-Irish@biddefordmaine.org.
With my many years working at the Department of Corrections, I’ve seen people who were put behind bars for behavior and choices related to their addiction. I’m glad that people like Chris Arbour, Regional Correctional Administrator for Adult Community Corrections in southern Maine, are part of the solution.
Arbour believes incarceration should be the last resort for those struggling with addiction, unless they pose a danger to the public. Instead, they often receive split sentences, either serving some time in jail and some probation, or are fully on probation. We need to understand that people struggling with addiction have a disease and it affects people in different ways.
With that perspective in mind, Arbour and his team of probation officers work to meet people where they are and to get them the treatment that will work for them. They might need support for their kids, or there may not even be the enough treatment centers in the area to be able to take on new patients. We recognize the systemic challenges that make it harder for people to receive help, get sober and put their lives back together.
During my career in corrections as a social worker and as a state senator today, I’ve met many people struggling with addiction.
I’ve seen families broken up or lives completely ruined. But I’ve also seen people turn things around. I’ve seen people working to maintain their sobriety use the support of their probation officers, community members, sober houses, and more to keep on going.
The resounding message I want to send is that people should not give up. There are ways to get help. And while addiction doesn’t have a simple fix, I believe we are moving in the right direction.
— State Sen. Susan Deschambault, D-Biddeford, represents Senate District 32, which includes Alfred, Arundel, Biddeford, Dayton, Kennebunkport and Lyman.
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