July 21, 2016 Meeting of West Bay Rotary

Ira Mandel gave a presentation about the Knox County Recovery Coalition. He treats 100 people with addiction. He reminded us of the poverty that plagues Maine and especially the poverty that affects children, at 20% (and 40% at 200% of poverty) is indicative of lack of economic security, directly connected to drug abuse and addiction .

He treats with suboxone and is limited by federal law to 100 patients despite a demand much greater than that.  He estimates at least 10% of young people in our community are addicted to opiates, and that one young person a month dies of a drug-related cause. 30% of the babies born in Knox County are drug addicted. 

He shared more statistics about death from addiction and the rate of incarceration and cost to society.  Peter Berke spoke to his experience in the trades and the incidence of drug addiction that is prevalent and the personal battles those people are experiencing and that we in the community need to help to address it. Mark Coursey spoke to the high rate of drug-related cases he sees as a lawyer practicing criminal law, and domestic relations law.

He talked about the effect of drugs on the brain and the effect of withdrawal.  He talked about addiction possibly taking root when people do not have positive relationships and life outlooks that make pain relief an attractive proposition.  He explained the principal of Adverse Childhood Experiences (“ACES”) like childhood neglect and abuse that traumatize children, which predispose adults to addition, illness and decreased longevity.  This becomes generational, and repeats itself over and over again.

Addiction results in adults that are unable to maintain employment, relationships and basically anything like a normal life.

Prevention and treatment should center around a strong community with healthy connections between people. He feels that Rotary’s mission is consistent with all of the ideals to support this.  A February meeting in Rockland was very well-attended and helped to bring attention to the problem and get feedback from the community, and resulted in the formation of the Coalition with over 200 individuals and organizations that are interested in coming together to address the issues; prevention, education, treatment and access to treatment, recovery, case management and the poverty that makes that challenging, related diagnosis, impact on family and community. They are meeting twice a week with different work groups. Their goals include strengthening social connections, public school engagement, community engagement and the court’s prosecution process. “A healthy community is stronger than any drug” is the guiding principle. It’s 100% volunteer and creating statewide alliances and aiming at a Recovery Center for our community.  They plan to become a stand-along non-profit while the Pen Bay Y is their current fiscal sponsor.

Rotarians are welcome to learn more and become involved, including mentoring, training for which is being provided by the Restorative Justice Project. Charitable gifts are also welcome.

The website for the Coalition is www.knoxrecovery.org.

Buckets on the table are for the backpacks for kids. Kristen Lindquist shared on behalf of Barbara Heard that we’ll have 50-55 backpacks for kids this year. Barbara will be back next week to let us know what she needs to help fill the backpacks for kids this fall. 

This Sunday the Lobster Ride will take place based at the Snowbowl and the club is sponsoring a Beer Tent, with a morning and afternoon shift, serving from 11a – 4p.  Lisa Dresser is organizing.

August 12-14 is the Maine Boats Homes and Harbors show, and there are still spaces on Saturday for people to sign up for the ticket booths that the club staffs over the 3-day show.

Sandy has set up a calendar on the westbayrotaryofmaine.org website, with month-by-month events, meeting speakers and activities. If you want to put events on the calendar, committee chairs will be authorized and instructed to do so, and for now, contact Sandy.

Next week’s speaker is Carolyn Johnson, PGD of Rotary 7780. She is from Yarmouth, and will speak about international projects.

Jim Potter read a thank you letter from Melissa a 2016 CHRHS graduate and scholarship recipient who has going to Providence College and is pre-med. She’ll be here to speak to the club December 29.