Disclaimer: The views I express here are my own and should NOT be construed as speaking for the City of Bangor or the City Council of Bangor.
Back in February the Working Group to Study Methods of Preventing Opioid Overdose Deaths by Authorizing Harm Reduction Health Centers released their findings to the Maine State Legislature. This report touches on one of the most difficult and debated topics in our state’s fight against the opioid crisis. For years, we’ve seen the devastating toll of this epidemic, with a staggering 5,800 Mainers lost to overdoses since 2009.
A special state Working Group was tasked with studying a controversial tool used elsewhere: Overdose Prevention Centers, or OPCs. And it’s a conversation that hits close to home—Bangor’s own Director of Public Health & Community Services, Jennifer Gunderman, was a member of this group, making sure our city’s perspective was at the table.
So, what exactly did this report say, and what could it mean for a community like ours? Let’s break it down.
First Off, What is an Overdose Prevention Center (OPC)?
Think of an OPC as a type of harm reduction health center. It’s a facility where people can use previously obtained controlled substances under the supervision of trained staff. The primary goal is simple: prevent fatal overdoses. Staff are equipped to respond immediately to an overdose and can also provide health screenings and, crucially, connect people with treatment, recovery, and other social services.
These centers have been operating for over 35 years in other countries, and the first government-sanctioned sites in the U.S. opened in New York City in 2021.
The Report’s Key Findings: The Good, The Bad, and The Complicated
The Working Group didn’t give a simple “yes” or “no.” Instead, they provided a detailed look at the issue and a set of recommendations for the Maine Legislature to consider.
Potential Benefits Highlighted in the Report:
- They Save Lives: This is the big one. At the two sites in New York City, staff have intervened in over 1,700 overdose events with zero fatalities.
- They Improve Public Spaces: The report cited compelling evidence that OPCs reduce the amount of discarded syringes in public areas. Before an OPC opened in Washington Heights, NYC Parks collected about 13,000 syringes per month in a nearby park. The month after it opened, that number dropped to just 1,000.
- They Are a Bridge to Treatment: By building trust, OPCs can be a critical access point linking individuals to substance use disorder treatment and other medical care.
Concerns and Challenges Acknowledged:
- The Legal Picture is Murky: The report is clear that federal law on OPCs is “unsettled”. This creates a legal gray area for any state or city that moves forward.
- Public Safety Concerns: Law enforcement groups in Maine, including the Maine Chiefs of Police and Maine Sheriffs Association, have consistently opposed OPCs. They worry the centers could attract drug dealers and increase crime in surrounding neighborhoods. The report states that law enforcement officers in Maine “remain almost universally opposed” to OPCs in their municipalities.
- Community Impact: There are natural apprehensions that an OPC could negatively affect a neighborhood or inadvertently normalize drug use.
What This Could Mean for Bangor
This is the most important part for us. The report makes it very clear that this shouldn’t be a top-down decision from Augusta.
- “Opt-In” Local Control: The Working Group strongly recommends that if the Legislature authorizes OPCs, municipalities must be given the power to “opt-in”. This means the state wouldn’t force an OPC on Bangor. Our own City Council would have the authority to hold public hearings and decide if it’s the right fit for our community.
- A “Tailored-for-Maine” Model: The report suggests that instead of a large, permanent building, a better starting point for Maine might be a piloted mobile unit. A mobile center could be integrated with existing health services, be more flexible, and allow for data collection before any larger commitments are made.
- Community Conversation is a Must: The report repeatedly emphasizes that “community engagement is one of the most important determinants of successful implementation”. Any potential plan for Bangor would require a deep, transparent, and ongoing conversation with residents, businesses, and public safety officials.
So, What’s Next?
Right now, the ball is in the State Legislature’s court. They will review this report and decide whether to introduce legislation based on its recommendations. Nothing is happening in Bangor tomorrow.
This report is the starting point for a serious statewide conversation. For now, our job as residents is to stay informed, understand the complexities, and be ready to engage in that discussion if and when it comes to our city.
