AUGUSTA — A trio of legislative committees Tuesday took a first look at a $4.9 million bill meant to increase treatment for drug addicts and put more drug agents on the street to stop the flow of illicit drugs into Maine. But lawmakers already were split on the measure, which would fund 10 new Maine […]
drugs
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legislators want to use settlement to pay for drug agents
AUGUSTA — Leaders in the Maine Legislature have proposed funding most of a $4.8 million package aimed at curbing the state’s drug epidemic with money gained in a settlement with a Wall Street ratings agency. The funding mechanism is supported by Attorney General Janet Mills, the Democrat who controls the money, but Gov. Paul LePage, a […]
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Posted inMaine
Maine weighs marijuana and highway safety
LEWISTON — As advocates for legal marijuana close in on a signature-gathering campaign likely to force a statewide ballot question in 2016, Maine lawmakers, law enforcement officers and elected officials are more seriously contemplating the broader implications of what legal weed would look in the Pine Tree State. Topping their concerns is a possible increase […]
Posted inOxford Hills, sj-web
Police to offer details on Oxford County drug investigation today
UPDATE: Drug counselor one of 15 arrested in Oxford County’s biggest drug bust SOUTH PARIS — The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and Oxford County Sheriff’s Office plan to announce details of a major drug investigation in Oxford County. A news conference is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Oxford County Jail, according to Maine Department […]
Posted inMaine
Brunswick couple charged with selling heroin
BRUNSWICK — A Brunswick couple was arrested Friday by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency after over $16,000 worth of heroin was found in their home. Justin Coffin, 35, and Tara Dry-Cooker, 35, both of 23 Oak St., were both charged by the Mid-Coast District Task Force with unlawful trafficking in heroin after the MDEA searched […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Why it takes so long to hire, train MDEA investigators
AUGUSTA — While Maine’s political leaders seem to have reached agreement on a plan to put more drug crimes investigators to work in Maine, it could be months before those agents hit the streets. In response to the rampant spread of heroin trafficking in Maine, Gov. Paul LePage and a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers this […]
Posted inMaine, New England, News
Sen. Angus King calls on military to stop heroin from Mexico
“We’re spending a lot of time here talking about the threat of ISIS and in the meantime, we’ve got this other threat that is killing, in my state, two or three hundred people a year,” King said at the nominee confirmation hearing for the new commander of the U.S. Southern Command before the Senate’s Armed Services […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine lawmakers announce funding for drug agents, abuse treatment
AUGUSTA — A bipartisan group of legislative leaders on Wednesday unveiled a $4.8 million plan to fight Maine’s drug crisis on all fronts: Law enforcement, treatment, recovery and education. The proposal was offered Wednesday, a day before a deadline set by Gov. Paul LePage for legislative leaders to present a plan that creates at least […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Federal law limits National Guard in law enforcement roles
PORTLAND — Gov. Paul LePage is threatening to call up the National Guard to fight an epidemic of heroin and other drugs if lawmakers don’t hire more agents. LePage made a surprise appearance in the Legislature on Thursday, telling panelists on the Appropriations Committee that there’s a “dire need” for a more robust response. He […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. Paul LePage wants to use National Guard in war against drugs
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage said Thursday he may call out the Maine Army National Guard if legislators don’t quickly provide money to hire judges, agents and prosecutors to fight the state’s drug epidemic. The Republican governor made a surprise appearance before the Legislature’s budget-writing Appropriations Committee, speaking after Attorney General Janet Mills gave an update […]