MEHRA UPDATE: Next meeting, Overdose Prevention Bill Update, Legislative Testing Event, Harm Reduction Conference

[Maine Harm Reduction Alliance]

This Edition:

• Next Meeting (April 4 in Portland)
  
• Last Meeting Highlights
• Overdose Prevention Bill Update
• Legislative Testing Event (April 4 in Augusta)
  
• Maine Harm Reduction Conference (May 14 in Augusta)
  

Next Meeting:

Mark your calendars! The next meeting of the Maine Harm Reduction Alliance will be Friday, April 4 in Portland at the Portland Community Free Clinic, 103 India St., Portland, ME 04101.

Agenda items are expected to include:

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

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

Last Meeting Highlights:

The Alliance last met on Monday, January 27 in Augusta attendees discussed plans for the public hearing on LD 1686, the overdose prevention bill sponsored by Rep. Sara Gideon. They further discussed the 2014 Maine Harm Reduction Conference, selecting Wednesday, May 14th for the conference and beginning to plan workshops and discussed potential presenters. Lastly, attendees reviewed and discussed the 2012 Needle Exchange report produced by the Maine HIV, STD and Viral Hepatitis Program.

Minutes from the May 14th meeting will be made available at: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B4vFoFzf8RERblUwTnVEWFVXb0U&usp=sharing

Overdose Prevention Bill Update:

In February the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services  overwhelmingly recommended that LD 1686: An Act to Address Preventable Deaths Due to Drug Overdose pass. Unfortunately, the bill is opposed by the Governor's office, making a veto likely and a vetoproof majority especially important. Additionally a minority report proposes a weaker bill that would expand access to naloxone ONLY to first responders. While this is an important part of the comprehensive bill, it is unlikely to be sufficient enough to stem the tide of drug overdose deaths.

As legislators prepare to vote on the bill advocates, parents and loved ones of individuals afflicted by an overdose, law enforcement officials, and emergency medical providers are encouraged to reach out to their legislators to tell them...

"With an average of 170 deaths per year due to drug overdoses, we cannot afford NOT to act. Allowing law enforcement to carry and administer naloxone is important, but it is NOT ENOUGH to stem the tide of this epidemic. Often the difference between life and death is a matter of minutes. To have a real impact on overdose deaths in Maine we MUST put this life-saving medicine in the hands of family and friends of people at risk... those in the right place at the right time. Concerns over side-effects due to sudden withdrawal are exaggerated, and given the choice between side-effects or death, there is no real choice at all."

For a one-pager on this issue click here. For more information contact Kenney Miller at (207) 460-2766.

Legislative HIV/HCV Awareness and Testing Event:

From 10am - 12pm on Monday, April 4th the Maine HIV Advisory Committee (HIVAC) and Frannie Peabody Center are inviting Legislators and others at the State House in Augusta to come and learn about the continued struggle with HIV and hepatitis C in Maine. In an era when HIV has largely lost the spotlight the HIVAC endeavors to raise awareness around these important issues and their continued relevance in Maine. Legislators are also invited to come and get tested to demonstrate the importance of knowing your status. HIV test counselors from Frannie Peabody Center, Down East AIDS Network and aligned agencies will be offering free, rapid HIV and hepatitis C antibody testing courtesy of Orasure. HIV service organizations and allies are also invited to attend, host a display and educate legislators on HIV, STDs and viral hepatitis and the importance of continued legislative attention to these issues. For more information contact Megan Hannan, Executive Director of Frannie Peabody Center at (207) 774-6877 or Kenney Miller, Executive Director of the Down East AIDS Network and Co-Chair of the Maine HIV Advisory Committee at (207) 667-3506.

Maine Harm Reduction Conference:

Mark your calendars!  The Maine Harm Reduction Conference has been scheduled for Wednesday, May 14 at Kaplan University in Augusta. Promotional materials are being produced as we speak. This years conference is oriented towards health care professionals, public health nerds and social work junkies. This year's keynote is expected to be Jon Zibbell, a Medical Anthropologist working with the CDC who has extensive fieldwork studying among young persons who inject drugs. Jon will be discussing the intersection of culture, drug use, stigma and health outcomes. Other workshops are expected to include: Harm Reduction 101; Harm Reduction Policy and Advocacy; Building a Drug User Friendly Practice; Screening Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT); Topics and Highlights in Drug User Health; Safer Injection: HIV, hepatitis C and overdose prevention. $10 per participant (persons with a history of injection drug use attend free) including lunch, snacks, coffee and CEUs/CMEs.