CONCORD, N.H. — The growing number of patients who claim marijuana helped them drop their painkiller habit has intrigued lawmakers and emboldened advocates, who are pushing for cannabis as a treatment for the abuse of opioids and illegal narcotics like heroin, as well as an alternative to painkillers. It’s a tempting sell in New England, […]
heroin
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Milo police chief criticizes LePage for Narcan veto
AUGUSTA — A small town police chief is criticizing Maine Gov. Paul LePage for vetoing a bill that would allow access to an opioid overdose antidote. Chief Damien Pickel of Milo, which has fewer than 2,000 residents, takes issue with the Republican governor’s contention that the antidote Narcan does not save lives. In a Facebook […]
advertisement
Posted inOxford Hills
State police offering lectures on Maine’s heroin problem
WEST PARIS — Maine State Police Trooper Jason Wing said the agency is offering to have troopers give presentations to communities in order to stop the flow of illegal drugs into Maine. “The key is, we obviously want to get the community involved,” Wing told members of the Ring McKeen American Legion Post 151 on Friday. He […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Saturday Night Live criticized for ‘Heroin AM’ spoof
Right there on “Saturday Night Live,” a little white line was showing the rapid pace of America’s heroin epidemic. Up and up it went, as the announcer said, “Heroin use in America is steadily on the rise.” Then came the punch line. “But productivity among heroin users has remained stagnant.” “That’s why ‘Heroin A.M.’ combines […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Oxford Hills
Oxford County pair arrested for trafficking heroin from Massachusetts
Police have charged two Oxford County residents with drug trafficking after, they say, the two went down to Massachusetts and brought back 600 doses of heroin to resell around western Maine. Derek Verrill, 26, and Gayle Gilmore, 18, both of Sweden, were arrested late Friday night after Fryeburg police, Oxford County Sheriff’s Office deputies and […]
Posted inMaine
Two heroin arrests made on Maine Turnpike in York
YORK — State police made two separate arrests on the turnpike Friday, seizing 480 doses of suspected heroin bound for southern Maine. Jorge Medina, 36, of Sanford was charged with aggravated trafficking in heroin and Leah Thurlow, 59, of Old Orchard Beach was charged with aggravated trafficking in heroin and violating conditions of release, Department of […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Sidney couple charged after 1-year-old treated for heroin ingestion
AUGUSTA — A Maine couple was indicted last week on charges stemming from their 1-year-old daughter’s alleged ingestion of heroin last summer. The Kennebec Journal reports 34-year-old Jason Thomas and 23-year-old Katie Robinson were charged with unlawful possession of heroin and endangering the welfare of a child. The drug possession charge is a felony and […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Winthrop man pleads guilty to federal heroin, gun charges
BANGOR — Chad Goucher, 38, of Winthrop pleaded guilty Monday in U.S. District Court to possessing heroin with the intent to distribute, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of an unregistered sawed-off shotgun. According to court records and a written statement from U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II, on March 6, […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Bill would raise reimbursements for Maine methadone clinics
AUGUSTA — A Maine lawmaker has proposed a bill that would raise the MaineCare reimbursement rate at the state’s 10 methadone clinics. The Portland Press Herald reports Republican Sen. David Woodsome, of North Waterboro, is sponsoring legislation that would increase the weekly reimbursement rate from $60 to $80 per patient. The bill is one of […]
Posted inFranklin
Carthage father, son indicted on drug charges
FARMINGTON — A father and son from Carthage were indicted Thursday by a Franklin County grant jury on heroin charges. Russell C. Smith, 51, was indicted on felony charges of unlawful trafficking in schedule drug, unlawful possession of schedule drugs and conspiracy. He also was indicted on criminal forfeiture. His son, Anthony W. Smith, 30, was indicted […]