A recent poll led by University of Maine Professors R. Glover and K. Sporer shared in July and August 2021 and this week found the the 400+ Mainersa The majority believe that treating people with opioid and general drug use disorders is a priority, rather than punishing them under the law.
These results are the very first to learn considering what Maine residents believe should be an official drug policy in relation to that of the state Record number of drug overdose deaths in the last two years.
advocate advanced Invoice LD 967 for the decriminalization of drugs and the introduction of treatment programs in 2021who passed the house but died in the Senate after facing mainly Republican opposition.
That’s what the poll showed supported by more than 75% of voters funding accessible detoxification services, drug-assisted drug treatment and local recovery community centers in each county, and similar support to ensure incarcerated people continue to have access to drug abuse therapies.
The researchers said that the Mainers interviewed belonged to different political parties and most likely differed in their education, occupation, religion and other demographics. But she all agreed that a new approach to drug policy is needed. “It’s very clear in the data” said Professor Sporer.
With reference to Harm reduction strategies, Voters supported some and remained hesitant about others. In particular, 76% support the distribution of overdose redemptions and 49% even support funding for local syringe exchanges, while 30% oppose this policy.
nonethelessnearly 50% of respondents would be against installing more securely places of drug use in the state’s metropolitan areas, while about 30% would vote in favor and 20% would remain neutral.
Despite these results, Professor Glover said Support for a treatment-based approach to substance abuse has increased significantly in recent yearsand in that sense, there is an opportunity to increase people’s consent to safe places of consumption…
