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Hypocrisy was the word that came to mind when I learned of Bobby Charles’ recent visits to addiction recovery centers. As a doctor of emergency and addiction medicine, I believe candidate Charles’ comments on how he would handle substance use issues demonstrate a profound ignorance about addiction, its causes and treatment for it.
His comments also are frightening reminders to me of former Gov. Paul LePage’s disparaging comments about persons struggling with substance use disorder and who refused to allow for distribution of naloxone for a period of time during which overdose deaths soared.
While Charles’ comments regarding harm reduction in general and naloxone distribution specifically are generally contrary to sound public health principles, his comments about treatment are equally horrifying to me. In an interview with C-SPAN on July 31, he stated that methadone tends to be a perpetuation of addiction until someone dies.
This would be a great surprise to the nearly 6,000 Mainers who are receiving this medication for addiction treatment. These patients are able to work, be with their families and live normal lives.
Methadone has been the primary medication for addiction treatment for over 50 years. Along with buprenorphine, it has been a very effective treatment, complemented by counseling and most patients do not stay on the medication throughout their lifetime. It is important to realize that over two-thirds of people with a substance use disorder are in long-term recovery.
Fatal overdoses in Maine are in decline for the fourth straight year. We don’t need to go backwards.
Paul Vinsel
West Bath