U.S. Reps. Frank Guinta (R-NH) and Bruce Poliquin (R-ME) explored ways to address the nation’s heroin epidemic on Monday during a field hearing in New Hampshire.
Guinta, the co-chair of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, convened the field hearing with U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster (D-NH) and Poliquin to explore best practices and strategies to curb New England’s heroin epidemic.
“When we started planning this Manchester field hearing, we envisioned a big event,” Guinta said. “I couldn’t be happier so many diverse professionals, as well as concerned Granite Staters, were able to hear a variety of ideas to solve a drug problem affecting nearly all of us.”
Poliquin participated in the field hearing and invited law enforcement and drug treatment officials from his home district to participate as panelists.
“This is personal for me,” Poliquin said. “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.”
Pat Kimball, the executive director of Wellspring treatment center in Bangor, Maine, said that Maine faces “several challenges” in tackling this public health issue.
“This epidemic is a serious threat to communities across Maine and the nation, and it demands an immediate and comprehensive response,” Kimball said. “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.”
Poliquin also invited Washington County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Michael Crabtree to participate in the field hearing.
“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,” Poliquin said. “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.”