RUMFORD — A community forum to address growing substance abuse in the Rumford and Mexico area is set for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Rumford Falls Auditorium at the Town Hall.

“Even though we’ve been trying to implement solutions to address the problem of substance abuse in the community, we’re still seeing the numbers increase,” Glenn Gordon, registered recovery coach with Oxford County Mental Health Services, told selectmen Thursday night. “It’s became more visible since summer. We really saw a lot of homeless on the streets, so people became very aware of the problems with substance use.”

“It’s really impacting the community,” he said. “There’s been a lot of talk about what’s happening, what we are doing and what are our resources.”

Over the past month the organization has talked about holding a public forum, he said. “One, to educate people about the resources, and talk about a three-tier approach to substance abuse, which is law enforcement, prevention and what is offered for treatment.”

“We want to bring people together to discuss these things, hopefully educate people and also try to formulate a plan moving forward,” Gordon said.

There were 28 fatal overdoses in Oxford County in 2021 and 32 through November 2022. A disproportionate number of those were in the Rumford-Mexico area, Gordon said. “Oxford County is fourth per capita in the state in fatal fentanyl overdoses.”

According to the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. Pharmaceutical fentanyl was developed for pain management treatment of cancer patients, applied in a patch on the skin. Because of its powerful opioid properties, fentanyl is also diverted for abuse.

The DEA says fentanyl is added to heroin to increase its potency, or be disguised as highly potent heroin. Many users believe that they are purchasing heroin and actually don’t know that they are purchasing fentanyl, which often results in overdose deaths. Clandestinely-produced fentanyl is primarily manufactured in Mexico.

Those expected at the forum include a Mountain Valley High School student with Maine Student Action, a person in substance abuse recovery, state Sen. Lisa Keim of Dixfield, Director Gordon Smith of opioid response for the state of Maine, Rumford Police Chief Tony Milligan, Town Manager Stacy Carter and Mexico Town Manager Raquel Welch-Day.

Oxford County Mental Health Services has offices at 150 Congress St. in Rumford and 39 Main St. in Norway. Hours at both locations are 8 a.m. ti 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For further information go to https://ocmhs.org/.

Also speaking Thursday was Kathy Williams, co-founder of the Larry LaBonte Recovery Center, at 412 Waldo St. in Rumford.

The rescource center is open to help with all addictive behaviors and does outreach, including group trainings.

“We’re not counselors,” she said. “Most of our recovery coaches are in recovery themselves.”

The schedule of meetings its offers are:

• Self Management and Recovery Training at 5 p.m. Tuesdays.
• Al-Anon at 7 p.m. Tuesdays.
• Alcoholics Anonymous at 7 p.m. Fridays.
For more information call 207-418-4983.

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