I am writing in reference to legislation that would establish sustainable funding for recovery community centers in Maine. I strongly recommend that people support this proposal as it moves through the respective Maine legislative committees.
The proposal would recommend the use of monies from taxes collected on recreational marijuana sales for use in the creation and support of recovery community centers for serving persons with substance use disorders in Maine. As the medical director at Discovery House of Central Maine, I see people in a medical setting beginning on the road to stability and recovery. I admire their courage and determination, but I realize their long-term outlook will depend on their building a community after any medical intervention. This is also necessary for persons with substance use disorders enmeshed in the legal system.
As a volunteer at the Bangor Area Recovery Center, I see that recovery community centers are “villages” that can provide access to resources, including housing and employment, as well as in-patient treatment, recovery coaches and self-help groups. Social and holiday activities can help persons with substance use disorder through some times that may be stressful for them.
The increasing ravages of drug use in Maine affect our sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters. Hoping this problem will just go away is unreasonable. Please support L.D. 1714, An Act to Create Sustainable Funding Source for Recovery Community Centers.
Thomas Martin
Old Town
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