Arthur A. is here. He starts with his his personal experience of detoxing in jail, which is harrowing.
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At the hearing for LD 1096 this morning, Sen. Linda Sanborn’s bill to require DOC to provide comprehensive treatment for substance use disorder
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He reminds them that jail is *not* the best place for SUD treatment and recovery
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Peter Michaud from Maine Medical Association is here to testify in favor. He talks about how important (“gold standard”) MAT is for many people with opioid use disorder.
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MMA: If we really feel like incarceration is a way to get people help and get back into the community successfully we have to provide treatment inside jail.
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Peter talks about his high blood pressure meds. He will continue to take that treatment for as long as he needs it, maybe forever. There’s no reason to treat medication for SUD any differently.
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Some in committee seem very interested in whether we can taper people off of suboxone/other treatments and when that should be.
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Legislators very concerned about whether ppl are able to get high on Suboxone, other MAT.
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Now up:
@zlheiden is talking about the Smith cases our office brought on behalf of people seeking to continue their long term recovery and continue MAT during incarceration, and the gov’t resistedShow this thread -
Zach talks about how we brought both 8th Am and ADA claims. Judge Torresen found it would violate the ADA to refuse to provide MAT to our client
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Tina Nadeau: I have lost clients, many of my friends who practice criminal defense have lost clients to OD when getting out of jail/prison
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DOC-asks that bill gets tabled because they are already working on a pilot program Inside Maine correctional facilities. Their pilot will be for people who are estimated to get out in 90 days.
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Sen. Carpenter: so if they come to you (DOC) today w/ suboxone prescription, they can’t continue with their medication? DOC: no.
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Rep. Corey: trying to understand why you are putting people who have been detoxed onto medications at the end of their sentences? Why would they need it?
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DOC: we are trying to set people up for success upon release. This hopefully prevents overdoses when they get out.
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Rep Corey: I appreciate the work you (DOC) are doing, I am just not sure it is enough... But a pilot was probably a good place for you to start.
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Rep. Pickett: wants to make sure the DOC is actually going to get this pilot program going and as soon as possible. Reminds everyone of the seriousness of the issue.
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I have to go to another hearing, but it is super heartening to hear folks on the committee supportive of MAT for incarcerated people! /end
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End of conversation
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