Press

Maine Voices: Mills’ watered-down version of Good Samaritan expansion doesn’t cut it

By Rev. Dr. Jodi Cohen Hayashida
April 3, 2022

Our state is on a tragic path. Preliminary data recently released by the state Center for Disease Control and Prevention indicated an over 30 percent increase in preventable drug overdoses in Maine. We are continuing to lose over 12 of our friends, relatives and neighbors each week to this devastating epidemic. It has become increasingly clear that we can no longer wait to take evidence-based actions to charter a new course. Click here to continue reading.

To ease the opioid epidemic, Maine needs to strengthen its Good Samaritan Law

By Kessie Silas, Jamie Kane, Andy Bradley, and Alli O’Neil, social work graduate students at the University of Maine
March 11, 2022

Maine is facing an opioid epidemic and we all have the power to decrease the number of deaths from overdoses by expanding our Good Samaritan Law. The Good Samaritan Law in Maine, as it currently stands, does not adequately protect those who overdose or those who seek help when they are witness to an overdose. Click here to continue reading.

The Maine Millennial: Expanded ‘Good Samaritan’ law needed to slow Maine overdose deaths

By Victoria Hugo-Vidal
February 27, 2022

In 2021, 636 Mainers died from a drug overdose. That’s almost two a day. Twelve every week. In 2020, there were 504 deaths. In 2019, 380. Click here to continue reading.

Can a Good Samaritan law reduce overdoses in Maine?

By Isreal Mosley
February 19, 2022

More than 600 Mainers died from drug overdoses in 2021, the highest number ever. On February 9, the State Legislature’s Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee held a 4-hour public hearing on LD 1862, An Act to Strengthen Maine’s Good Samaritan Laws that would shield anyone trying to save the life of an overdose victim from prosecution. As State Representative Charlotte Warren (D – Hallowell) stated, the expansion of the Good Samaritan law “is about saving lives. The need is very clear based on the fact that we can’t get ahead of overdose deaths. Two people every day. All because people are afraid to call 911.” Click here to continue reading.

Maine Voices: Save people like my friend Madison – pass L.D. 1862

By Ricky Higgins
February 15, 2022

My friend Madison Graham was a great person. She was kind and caring, and always wanted the best for herself and everyone around her. Madison and I had been friends for years. We connected over our shared experiences: We both had been at Long Creek and at Day One in Hollis, which is residential housing for juveniles that promotes recovery. We had the same counselors while we were there, and shared many of the same issues. Click here to continue reading.

Our View: Expanding Good Samaritan law will save Maine lives

By the Editorial Board of the Portland Press Herald
February 8, 2022

A record number of Mainers died from drug overdoses in 2021. In all likelihood, that record won’t last the year. Click here to continue reading.

Eliminate Maine Good Samaritan loopholes to reduce overdose deaths

By Chris Burke
February 8, 2022

Saving a life shouldn’t be a crime. But this is the current reality for Mainers who witness or experience an overdose. Click here to continue reading.

Update law to prevent overdose deaths

By Ryan Schmitz
January 31, 2022

The opioid epidemic has ripped through Maine, taking thousands of lives in only a few years. These people were our co-workers, our neighbors, our family, and our friends. Despite our nearly universal experience with these tragedies, we are still told that drug use is a problem of morality, and is punished as such. Click here to continue reading.

Maine Voices: We can’t leave overdose survival to chance – expand Maine’s Good Samaritan law

By Rebecca Bass
January 27, 2022

I consider myself to be extremely lucky. About four years ago, I fell in love at first sight. I imagine many people did the same when they met this guy. He was handsome, charming, smart, the works. How lucky was I that our paths had crossed? Click here to continue reading.

Expand Maine’s Good Samaritan law to help save lives

By Matt Gunn
January 21, 2022

An estimated 635 Mainers lost their lives due to drug overdoses in 2021. Each of these deaths was preventable. It is therefore essential that we use every available tool to shift our response to the overdose epidemic away from the current criminalization model to one emphasizing public health. Click here to continue reading.

Expand Maine’s Good Samaritan law to save more lives

By Kayty Robbins
January 13, 2022

Our people are dying. Rates of overdoses are skyrocketing and we need to do better, Maine. We need to take common-sense steps to save more lives. Click here to continue reading.

Maine needs to expand its ‘Good Samaritan’ law to help prevent overdose deaths

By Dr. Winifred Tate
January 11, 2022

More than 500 people died last year of overdose in Maine, but many hundreds more were saved when people intervened — either by administering Narcan or calling for help. During our ongoing overdose crisis, we have to do all we can to make sure people feel empowered to call for medical assistance when they or someone they’re with is experiencing an overdose. But often those closest to overdose are afraid to make the call. Click here to continue reading.

Maine legislators should expand Good Samaritan protections

By Amanda Sherman
December 26, 2021

As a person in long-term recovery and an advocate in the recovery movement, I feel more needs to be done to stop the drug overdose crisis. One thing we can do is support the expansion of the state’s Good Samaritan law. Click here to continue reading.