As the opioid epidemic in Maine continues to worsen, with a record number of overdoses during the pandemic, a bill before the legislature would decriminalize drug possession in Maine. People found with small amounts of substances would pay a fine and be steered to recovery programs, rather than going to jail. We’ll learn about the arguments for and against this approach, which is now being considered in other parts of the country as well.
Guests
Winifred Tate, director, Maine Drug Policy Lab at Colby College; associate professor, department of anthropology, Colby College; author, "Drugs, Thugs and Diplomats: US Policymaking in Colombia"
Jonathan Sahrbeck, district attorney, Cumberland County
Rep. Anne Perry, Maine House of Representatives, District 140, Calais; sponsored decriminalization bill LD967
Courtney Allen, policy director, Maine Recovery Advocacy Project
Robert Moulton, chief of police, Scarborough Police Department
Marshall Mercer, organizer, Maine Recovery Advocacy Project
Resources
- Maine is the latest state to consider decriminalizing drugs
- Lawmakers, advocates seek new approach to Maine’s failed War on Drugs
- Maine Recovery Advocacy Project, lawmakers to address state’s addiction crisis
- Maine Lawmakers File Bill To Decriminalize Possession Of All Drugs
- How Europe’s heroin capital solved its overdose crisis