SAVE THE DATE - SAVE LIVES - SUBMIT TESTIMONY

[Maine Harm Reduction Alliance]

Hello Harm Reductionists!

Yesterday we learned that LD 1686: An Act to Address Preventable Deaths Due to Drug Overdose has been scheduled for a public hearing before the Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday, February 5 starting at 9am.

And we need you!

Over the last three years Maine has averaged 170 drug overdose deaths per year, or roughly on death every other day. However, as if this weren't bad enough the Chief Medical Examiner and other public health experts are expecting a steep rise in overdose deaths due to a surge in heroin use, above and beyond the alarming increase we've seen over the last decade. This is a public health emergency that must be addressed.

Sponsored by Rep. Sarah Gideon of Freeport, LD 1686 would expand access to Narcan and Intranasal Naloxone as a tool in preventing overdose deaths. Narcan has no other effect than to counteract an opioid overdose - it buys the victim time to seek medical services.

How can you help?

• TESTIFY! - Come to the public hearing on Wednesday, February 5 and tell your story, tell the Committee why we NEED this bill. This is THE most powerful thing you can do.
  
• Submit testimony - Submit written testimony for the Committee's consideration to the same effect.
• Call Committee members - Call the members of the committee, particularly if you reside or work in their district. Tell them why this is so important and ask for their support.

Once you've made contact, or if you're planning to testify or provide testimony, email me to let me know! I can be reached at ME...@downeastaidsnetwork.org

For all your advocacy needs!

Use the Overdose Prevention Advocacy Toolbox to take action. This includes: Contact information for the Committee, a one-page description of the bill, a set of comprehensive talking points, instructions on testifying and submitting testimony.

Click the individual topics to see specific documents, or go straight to the toolbox:  https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B4vFoFzf8RERdXJ2UllCVW1QWjg&usp=sharing

As always, if you have any questions, comments or concerns please feel free to contact me!

--

Kenney Miller
Executive Director, Down East AIDS Network
Co-Founding Member, Maine Harm Reduction Alliance
25A Pine St.
Ellsworth, ME 04605

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