Maine Harm Reduction Alliance - Update, Agenda, Minutes

[Kenney Miller]

 

Please pass this along to any who might be interested!!!

Next Meeting:

The next meeting of the Maine Harm Reduction Alliance will be held on Friday, November 15 at Portland Public Health, 103 India St., Portland.
Agenda items include:

• Networking and introductions
• Funding for Syringe Access Programs
• Overdose Prevention Advocacy
• 2013 Maine Harm Reduction Conference
• Setting Goals and Objectives
• Others...

Please see the attached agenda for details. A call-in option will be available. For those planning to attend please RSVP by clicking here so that we can ensure we have enough space.

MEHRA meetings are open to all allies, including persons who inject drugs, service organizations and concerned citizens. Everyone has an equal voice at the table. This month we'll be joined by some of our friends from the Drug Policy Alliance, the nation's leading organization promoting drug policies that are grounded in science, compassion, health and human rights.

Last Meeting Highlights:

The Alliance last met on Monday, September 23 at Maine General Community Cares in Augusta. At this meeting we discussed the draft Overdose Prevention Legislation proposed by the Drug Policy Alliance. Attendees made suggestions regarding protections to be included in the Overdose Prevention Bill and discussed strategy to advance the legislation. We further discussed the 2014 Maine Harm Reduction Conference and began to brainstorm possible topics and speakers.

For details on September's meeting see the minutes attached!

2014 Maine Harm Reduction Conference:

In May of 2013 the MEHRA, the Harm Reduction Coalition and other local partners brought you Maine's first ever Harm Reduction Conference. The conference attracted over 50 professionals, ranging from medical providers to social service providers. Attendees were treated to day long workshops in harm reduction, including Improving Health Care for Drug Users and Preventing Hepatitis C Among Youth.

In May of 2014 we want Maine's Second Annual Harm Reduction Conference to be even bigger and even better. Help us achieve this goal by telling us what YOU would like to see in the next conference. Take the survey below to tell us share your thoughts, and send the survey along to gather more input!

Advocacy Update:

A flurry of phone calls and emails went out late Wednesday, October 20th as dedicated Harm Reductionists contacted members of the Legislative Council to encourage them to accept LR 2626: An Act to Address Prevenatable Deaths Due to Drug Overdose into the January 2014 session of the Maine State Legislature. In spite of the valiant showing unfortunately this bill was not pushed through. Only one vote short of passing, the MEHRA and our friends with the Drug Policy Alliance are hopeful that we can appeal the Council's decision in November. But we need your help! Stay tuned, keep you phones charged and practice your talking points because we'll need you again soon!

Support the MEHRA:

The Maine Harm Reduction Alliance began as a network 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.

--
Kenney Miller
Executive Director
Down East AIDS Network
25A Pine St.
Ellsworth, ME 04605

Ph: (207) 667-3506
Fax: (207) 664-0574


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