ACLU Response to Governor’s Drug Summit

Augusta – The ACLU of Maine was disappointed to learn that the large majority of expected participants in the governor’s drug summit represent law enforcement, while very few represent the medical and recovery communities. According to a press release from the governor’s office, participants in the summit will include 15 law enforcement agents and prosecutors, but fewer than five doctors and recovery specialists. There is not a single defense attorney on the list, nor anyone listed as having experienced addiction themselves.

The following can be attributed to Oamshri Amarasingham, policy counsel at the ACLU of Maine:

“How can there be a fully informed conversation about addiction at a summit where law enforcement agents and prosecutors outnumber medical professionals three to one? If the governor actually wanted to protect the health and safety of all Mainers, he would include more people who know about public health. Instead, his stubborn refusal to recognize the importance of treatment and recovery in combatting addiction puts Mainers at risk.”