is that we have seen quite an increase in methadone clinics up here. These clinics allow "take-homes". So, instead of having to take your does in front of someone, and having to have someone to drive you home, you get to take your dose with you. Many of these "take-homes" are being sold on the street, where people are combining these doses with other drugs. Or the person who got the take home is combining with other drugs.
Now, I understand that people who are addicted to drugs need help, I just don't think that substituting one drug for another is the way to do it. One such group just got approval in my area to open a clinic (which is going to be situated near a trailer park and right in front of a school bus stop) one of the owners has been on methadone for over ten years.
story from town meeting:
The corner is also the neighborhood's bus stop, and Pleasant Gardens parents said they were worried about their children's exposure to the clinic, fearing brawls, drug deals or drowsy drivers threatening child safety. City officials said they would try to have the bus stop moved.
Residents also grumbled that a lower-income neighborhood like Pleasant Gardens is being victimized by the city as a place for the clinic, while other, more affluent areas of Rockland are protected
Former Mayor Jimmy Raye told the council that's exactly what's happening. "If you put this at the end of Samoset Road," he said, pointing toward the audience, "this place would be filled." An "Amen!" was blurted behind him.
http://knox.villagesoup.com/Government/story.cfm?storyID=66200So with taking this in to account, along with the increase in heroin use (WTF happened to pot?)and other harder drugs, no wonder we have seen such an increase in deaths.
On Edit:
PS, Baldacci may be a democrat, but he's a fucking idiot.