Rep. Poliquin Listens to Mainers, Experts at Congressional Field Hearing, Will Continue to Act to Curb Heroin Epidemic

April 25, 2016

Press Release

Penobscot and Washington County panelists provide insight on their experience enforcing the law and treating victims

MANCHESTER, N.H. – Today, Maine’s 2nd District Congressman, Bruce Poliquin, joined New England law enforcement members, substance abuse treatment workers, Members of Congress and other experts on the heroin epidemic in the region in a Congressional Field Hearing sponsored by the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic.

Congressman Poliquin personally invited Michael Crabtree, the Chief Deputy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, and Pat Kimball, the Executive Director of the Wellspring treatment center in Bangor, to join as panelists. The discussion touched on a number of aspects of the heroin epidemic, including efforts to tighten up security along the Canadian border to ensure proper and complete enforcement.

“This is personal for me,” said Congressman Poliquin at the field hearing. “I lost a family member as a result of addiction. Those of us who have gone through this, or know people who have gone through this, know what a black hole this is. It sucks all the energy from the family.”

Click HERE to see Congressman Poliquin’s opening remarks.

Michael Crabtree, the Chief Deputy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, testifies before Congressman Poliquin at today’s hearing. Click HERE to view the video.

“I am very proud of the Washington County Sheriff’s Department for their hard work for decades on the front lines of the drug crisis in Maine,” said Congressman Poliquin after the hearing. “I am honored to have Chief Deputy Crabtree here and to have my colleagues in Congress learn about the hard work and unique challenges our law enforcement in Washington County face given their rural county and border with Canada.”

Pat Kimball, the Executive Director of Wellspring in Bangor, testifies before Congressman Poliquin and other Members of Congress at the field hearing. Click HERE to view the video.

“Maine currently is in what I would call the eye of the storm and has several challenges facing us as we begin to tackle this enormous public health issue,” said Pat Kimball, Executive Director of Wellspring, during her testimony. “This epidemic is a serious threat to communities across Mane and the nation and it demands an immediate and comprehensive response. This comprehensive plan needs to include expanded services in prevention and education, availability of naloxone to law enforcement, expand evidence-based opioid and heroin treatment and interventions program, and strengthen prescription drug monitoring programs.”