August 2026 newsletter
We remember. We act. We save lives.
Welcome to Overdose Action Month
Awareness matters—but awareness alone is not enough.
Throughout August, ME-RAP will focus on
the actions that save lives: expanding access to naloxone, reducing stigma, supporting harm reduction, listening to people with lived experience, and advocating for compassionate, evidence-based responses to substance use. Overdose action means keeping people alive, connected, and supported—and recognizing that
every person deserves the opportunity to have a future.
Honoring a chapter of leadership
For the past eight years, ME-RAP has shown up at Governor Janet Mills’ Opioid Response Summit—leading conversations, sharing lived experience, building relationships, and advocating for policies that support recovery and save lives.
This year’s gathering marked the final summit under Governor Mills and Gordon Smith’s leadership, making it a meaningful opportunity to honor how far Maine’s recovery movement has come. What began with a small group refusing to accept the status quo has grown into a statewide movement that can no longer be ignored. 💛
Throughout the day, every part of the ME-RAP team contributed. Our statewide advocacy team gathered more than 100 surveys, promoted Vote Recovery, distributed our legislative scorecard, and led conversations about transparency in opioid settlement funds. Our youth organizers provided naloxone education and shared their film centering young people in recovery, while our Access Center team highlighted the impact of its first year and connected with people from across Maine. You can see more from the summit here.
The summit closed with Courtney reflecting on Gordon’s eight years of leadership and what his work has meant to this movement. While this chapter is coming to an end, the movement is not ending. The relationships built, progress made, and lives saved will continue to guide the work ahead.
As we enter Overdose Action Month, we carry that progress forward—and recommit ourselves to the actions that save lives. 💜
share your naloxone story!
Every naloxone story is a reminder that overdose can be reversed and another chapter is possible. This August, we are inviting community members to share how naloxone has affected their lives—whether it saved you, someone you love, or someone you helped. By sharing these experiences, we can reduce stigma, show why access to naloxone matters, and remind others that survival creates the opportunity for healing, connection, and change.
Stories may be shared anonymously and could be featured during Overdose Action Month. Submissions are due by August 21 and can be dropped off at the Access Center, emailed to info@me-rap.org, or sent through Facebook or Instagram.
Join Us on August 31st -
A Day of Remembrance, Action, and hope
On International Overdose Awareness Day, ME-RAP and Enso Recovery Housing will come together for a community gathering at the Access Center. This evening will create space to remember those we have lost to overdose, honor survivors and families, and stand together in hope for a future where fewer lives are lost.
The gathering will include opportunities for reflection, connection, education, and access to lifesaving resources. Whether you have been personally impacted by substance use, are in recovery, work in the field, or simply want to stand alongside your community,
everyone is welcome.
Together, we will reduce stigma, honor every life lost, celebrate recovery, and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to survive, heal, and thrive. 💜 Co-hosted by Enso Recovery Housing.
Project Doorstep: Take Overdose Action into the community
Real change starts with real conversations. This August, join ME-RAP for Project Doorstep as we head into Augusta neighborhoods to connect with community members, share lifesaving information and resources, and have honest conversations about overdose, recovery, and the solutions that keep people alive.
Canvassing gives us a chance to meet people where they are, answer questions, reduce stigma, and listen to what people are seeing in their own communities. You don’t need experience to join us—just a willingness to show up, connect, and help build a safer, more informed community one doorstep at a time.
advocacy 101: Turn Your Voice into action
Overdose prevention doesn’t stop with carrying naloxone—it also means speaking up for policies that save lives. Join us for Advocacy 101, a practical introduction to using your voice, your experience, and your story to help create change.
We’ll talk about how to communicate with decision-makers, share your story safely and effectively, and turn the issues you care about into meaningful action. You don’t need to be an experienced advocate to make a difference. If you care about what happens in your community, your voice belongs in the conversation.
VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH
Denni Peaslee is the Access Center Volunteer of the Month. Having experienced homelessness herself, she understands how important it is to have a welcoming place to connect, meet basic needs, and feel supported.
She enjoys helping wherever she is needed, from preparing grab bags and organizing the clothing closet to working at the snack counter and supporting community events. Volunteering has given her a renewed sense of purpose and stability, while allowing her to offer hope to others by showing that positive change is possible.
