The Fund for a Healthy Maine works. It is our state’s effort to put our tobacco settlement dollars to work for the good health of Maine citizens. This is a special source of money that has come to us at no small health and economic cost. Mainers have paid the price with their health and their wallets at the hands of the tobacco industry. The tobacco settlement money, known as the Fund for a Healthy Maine, is our only chance to break the cycle of tobacco addiction and disease.

By passing LD 1612, Maine lawmakers will set themselves apart from the rest of the country where short-term budget problems have led to the squandering of tobacco settlement money. When faced with tough decisions, other states have often favored the quick fix and not seen the big picture. But here in Maine it can be a different story.

This is a proposal we can all agree on – Republicans, Democrats, Greens, independents – on behalf of the many prevention and treatment providers that MASAP represents.

Ruth E. Blauer,

executive director,

Maine Association of

Substance Abuse Programs,

Augusta