URGENT: A TURNING POINT IN CULTURAL CONSCIOUSNESS! - ADVOCACY ALERT

[Maine Harm Reduction Alliance]

Hello Harm Reductionists!

Please share widely!

Yesterday, a contingent of Allies from the Maine Harm Reduction Alliance witnessed first hand a turning point in cultural consciousness at the public hearing for LD 1686: An Act To Address Preventable Deaths Due to Drug Overdose. The energy in the room was electrifying as we heard from one supporter after another, from Representative McGowan of Cape Neddick, who very nearly lost a nephew to a drug overdose, to Dr. Richard Fein of Maine General.

Yesterday we told the Health and Human Services Committee that they could NOT afford NOT to do something about the rising death toll.

But the battle has just begun - our struggle is nowhere near over. From the Governor's State of the State Address, and their recent position on this bill, we know that it is very likely that WHEN this bill is passed by the legislature, it will most likely face a Gubernatorial veto. As such, our charge is to see this bill through with enough legislative support to override a veto. To do this we need strong support from the Health and Human Services Committee.

What can you do??

• Call or email Committee members - For a list of committee members and contact information click here.

Tell them that expanding access to Naloxone is absolutely critical to addressing this emergent public health crisis that is taking its toll on our children, loved ones, veterans and others.The broad distribution of Naloxone through programs that provide services to persons with addiction issues, and the ability of friends, family and other lay people to possess and administer Naloxone, is the best way to make sure that this life-saving drug is in the right place at the right time. Tell them that this is not just a public health issue, but a moral imperative.

• Call or email the Governor's office - Click here for contact information.

Tell Governor LePage that we cannot afford to not do something about this issue. Enforcement alone is not enough to curb this epidemic, it must be coupled with treatment, prevention, and yes... harm reduction. Consistently rising rates of overdose deaths are evidence that the status quo is not enough, that the system is broken. The best way to make sure this life-saving drug is in the right place at the right time is through broad distribution and protections. Tell him that this is not just a public health issue, but a moral imperative.

• Next sign the petition urging law makers to support this bill. Follow the link to sign - http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/governor-lepage-main?source=c.em.cp&r_by=10015584

• Lastly, pass this email along to your friends, family, co-workers... anybody and everybody that will listen and act.

With the work session and a potential vote right around the corner we need as much outreach as we can muster in the course of the next week.

Yesterday we witnessed the beginning of a turning point in cultural consciousness around this issue. The MEHRA and our allies are at the forefront of the charge. Lets pass this bill.

Sincerely,
Kenney Miller
Executive Director, Down East AIDS Network
co-founder, Maine Harm Reduction Alliance
e. me...@downeastaidsnetwork.org
p. (207) 667-3506 x13