Dear Maine's Recovery & Harm Reduction Community,
As the 132nd Maine Legislature adjourns until January, I’m reflecting with deep gratitude and pride on what we’ve accomplished together this session. This has been a powerful season of advocacy, fueled by the voices of lived experience, expertise, and commitment to shared values.
Together, our statewide network of advocates and allies took action on 25 bills, mobilizing an incredible 235 individual testimonies in support of equity, justice, and expanded access to care for people and families impacted by the opioid crisis. Each testimony carried a story and a vision for a healthier, more compassionate Maine.
This legislative session, our movement advanced policies that will have lasting impacts:
We know that progress doesn’t happen by chance—it’s the result of intentional, coordinated community organizing. It’s what happens when people come together with a shared purpose: to strive for a present and future that are grounded in equity, dignity, and access. This session was a testament to the power of that collective action.
Thank you to every single person who showed up. Your voice mattered. We made a difference together.
With hope and determination,
Courtney Gary-Allen
Executive Director
It's hard to believe that this session of the 132nd Legislature has adjourned!
Below you will find bills that were passed and enacted, bills that were opposed and defeated, and bills that will be carried over to the next session of the 132nd Legislature.
The Maine Recovery Council holds a public comment period for the first 15 minutes of every full council meeting!
If you'd like to give public comment, email INFORecoveryCouncil@maine.gov starting at 8am on the Monday before the meeting. Indicate whether you'll speak in-person or via Zoom. Speaking slots are scheduled on a first-come basis. Read the full MRC Public Comment Policy.
Next Meeting: Friday, July 11th on Zoom from 9:30am-12:30pm.
We are excited to announce a brand new role within our organization: Executive & Administrative Ally! This role will serve as a right hand to our Executive Director, Courtney Gary-Allen, and our leadership team.
We’re looking for someone organized, grounded, and aligned with our values to manage schedules, coordinate internal systems, and support the daily work that keeps ME-RAP strong. Sound like you? Check out the job description below!
After months of renovations and years of planning, ME-RAP invites you to join us as we open the doors to the Access Center, a new recovery community hub in downtown Augusta! Whether you’ve been part of the journey or are just learning about the space, we’d love to celebrate this milestone with you!
Event Schedule:
4:15 PM – Welcome & Speakers
4:45 PM – Ribbon Cutting with Kennebec Valley Chamber
5:00 PM – Tours, Charcuterie Boards & Mocktails
The Access Center is a hub for connection, healing, and action. It will offer a wide range of peer support services, including recovery meetings, treatment, employment, and housing navigation, youth prevention programming, community clean-ups, harm reduction resources, pro-social events, a drop-in center, advocacy opportunities, and more. Learn more about our work at www.me-rap.org.
This event is free and open to all. We can't wait to welcome you to the Access Center!
We are dedicating our July Organizer of the Month to our statewide ME-RAP Organizing Team. Comprised of people with lived experience of SUD, affected others, allies, and professionals in the field, our team is the heart of our advocacy work. From showing up for lobby days to giving public testimony to writing LTEs, our team puts the Action in Maine Recovery Action Project.
We thank our team for their dedication, their drive, and their relentless pursuit to represent the voices of those most impacted by Maine's addiction crisis in Augusta. Looking forward to what we can accomplish together next session!
