Gov. LePage Signs Bill to Help Fight Maine’s Drug Epidemic

Gov. Paul LePage yesterday (Jan. 19) signed a $3.7 million bill unanimously endorsed by lawmakers. The drug bill is in response to the growing number of overdoses and also the increase in demand for addiction treatment services in the state.

10 new drug investigators for the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency are included in the new bill.

Also, $2.5 million is earmarked for addiction treatment, which includes $900,000 to establish and operate a new drug detoxification center in northern or eastern Maine.

Local police departments will also be getting an influx of funds for community-based treatment and recovery programs as an alternative to incarceration.