october 2025 newsletter
Don't Settle Without Me!
Youth voices call for transparent spending of
opioid settlement funds in Maine.
On October 9th, 2025, 23 young people from 7 counties across Maine gathered in Augusta to attend and testify at the Maine Recovery Council Meeting with the Maine Youth Leadership and Development Council, ME-RAP and Maine Youth Action Network.
The Maine Recovery Council was established to oversee and ensure transparency in how Maine’s share of the national opioid settlement is spent. The October 9th meeting marked a historic moment as over 20 youth from across Maine filled the room and the public testimony slots—calling on the Council to center young people’s lived experience and to invest in prevention, education, and community support that actually meet youth where they are.
“I’m here as someone who refuses to let youth voices be left out of the conversation when it comes to opioid settlement decisions. Because this isn’t just about dollars and programs—it’s about real lives. We talk about prevention. We talk about treatment. But what we’re missing is education that empowers kids to speak up without fear.” said Keirsten Heroux, a young person from Deer Isle. “Because here’s the truth: a child will not advocate for themselves if they think speaking up means getting taken away. They need to know that help doesn’t mean punishment. That support doesn’t mean separation. Programs funded by these settlements need to reflect that reality. They need to include youth voices. They need to focus on long-term care, not just crisis response. And they need to be built with compassion—not shame.”
“Across Maine, people directly impacted by Purdue Pharma’s actions and the mass marketing of OxyContin are building a people-powered movement to ensure opioid settlement funds support life-saving, community-centered solutions,” said Courtney Gary-Allen, Executive Director of ME-RAP. “This money belongs to those most harmed by the crisis, and we have the right to shape how it’s used. Transparency isn’t optional. Young people across Maine are calling on every county, city, the Attorney General, and the Maine Recovery Council to listen, invest in prevention shaped by lived experience, and build programs that help youth heal, grow, and lead. I stand with them today and every day.”
“This settlement money should go toward helping low-income individuals and families in recovery.” said Mathew Davis, ME-RAP Youth Organizer and Bangor Resident, When people are trying to rebuild their lives, having stability in housing, food, transportation, and treatment can make the difference between relapse and lasting recovery. Investing in recovery support for low-income Mainers will save lives, strengthen families, and make our communities safer and more compassionate.”
“Often we hear about how young people are ‘the future’ in our communities. By raising their voices at the Council meeting, young people reminded us that they are also ‘the now’ and ready to participate in the process,” said Beth Broderick, Director of the Maine Youth Action Network. “Harm reduction efforts coupled with positive youth development programming that builds leadership and workforce skills are effective prevention strategies. We see that in the research, but today we also heard that directly from the young people most impacted by these funding decisions.”
