MEHRA Updates - Overdose Prevention Advocacy, Harm Reduction Conference

[Maine Harm Reduction Alliance]

This Edition:

• Next Meeting
  
• Advocacy Update and Next Steps
• Maine Harm Reduction Conference Planning
  
• Last Meeting Highlights
• Join the MEHRA on Facebook
  
• Support the MEHRA
  

Next Meeting:

Mark your calendars and fuel up your cars!  The next full meeting of the Maine Harm Reduction Alliance will be NEXT Monday

Monday,  January 27, 11:30-1:30pm at the Conference Room in 9 Green St., Augusta, ME 04401. Participants can also call in, details in the agenda.

Agenda items will include:

• Networking and introductions
• Task Force Updates
• Overdose Prevention Advocacy
• 2014 Harm Reduction Conference
• Fundraising for Syringe Access
• Setting Goals and Objectives
• Others...

MEHRA meetings are open to all allies, including persons who use drugs, service organizations and concerned citizens. All have an equal voice at the table.

To see the agenda visit: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B4vFoFzf8RERblUwTnVEWFVXb0U&usp=sharing

Advocacy Update and Next Steps:

Due to all of your amazing efforts LD 1686: An Act to Address Preventable Deaths Due to Drug Overdose was accepted into the second session of the 126th Legislature. But this was only the beginning of the struggle.

The will come up for public hearing before the Health and Human Services Committee sometime in early February. In order to make an impression on the Legislature and the Governor we NEED the bill to pass through Committee with as much support as possible. How do we do this? With your support.

An average of 170 people die each year due to a drug overdose, and everything seems to indicate that overdose deaths are on the rise. Drug overdoses average more deaths per year than traffic accidents or gun violence in Maine. Under any other circumstances people would be decrying a public health emergency. We cannot afford to let this legislation die in the legislature or be vetoed. LD 1686 is not just good policy, it is a moral imperative.

Want to save lives and prevent overdose deaths...?? Here's how you can...

• Outreach to families that have been afflicted by overdose, veterans and supportive law enforcement
  
• Help outreach to key members of Health and Human Services Committee
• Present testimony before the Committee at the public hearing in February
• Provide written testimony in support of the bill

We need your voice, your testimony, your support. For more information or support, take a look at the Overdose Prevention Advocacy Toolbox by clicking here, email ME...@downeastaidsnetwork.org or call Kenney at (207) 667-3506 x13.

To pledge your support and tell the Legislature that Maine NEEDS LD 1686 click here.

Harm Reduction Conference:

The MEHRA is busily planning its 2014 Maine Harm Reduction Conference.

The conference is planned for the month of May and is intended to appeal to health care, social service and public health providers as well as advocates, allies and even consumers.

Workshops are expected to include: Introduction to Harm Reduction and Harm Reduction Resources; Harm Reduction Policy and Advocacy; Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment; Building a Drug User Friendly Healthcare Practice; Topics and Highlights in Drug User Health; and Safer Shooting, Overdose and hepatitis C Prevention.

The morning keynote will focus on Culture and Drug Use, with ample time to network at lunch while the MEHRA presents its annual Hero of Harm Reduction Award.

For more information, or to be involved in planning email ME...@downeastaidsnetwork.org or contact Kenney at (207) 667-3506 x13.

Last Meeting Highlights:

The Alliance last met on Friday, November 15 in Portland. There were over 17 people in attendance, including representatives of the Drug Policy Alliance. Participants discussed
the advancement of Overdose Prevention legislation, LR 2626: An Act to Address Preventable Deaths Due to Drug Overdose and strategized outreach. We further continued to plan for the 2014 Maine Harm Reduction Conference as well as discussing fundraising efforts to increase funding for Syringe Access Programs.

For details on November's meeting find the minutes at: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B4vFoFzf8RERblUwTnVEWFVXb0U&usp=sharing

Join the MEHRA on Facebook:

The MEHRA goes modern! Find us on Facebook and follow our work here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maine-Harm-Reduction-Alliance

Support the MEHRA:

The Maine Harm Reduction Alliance began as a network of syringe access providers in late 2011. Recognizing the need for greater collaboration and coordination, providers volunteered their time to help improve and promote harm reduction services in our state.

Today the MEHRA continues to strive to fulfill their mission: To enhance the provision of harm reduction services throughout Maine through education, advocacy and action.

Interested? Intrigued? Impassioned? Consider supporting the MEHRA and its efforts.

All donations go to the coordination of the Alliance and it's priority goal for 2013-2014, funding syringe access services. To donate, click the button below.