Dear Editor:

I am writing to support the reelection of Holly Stover to House District 48, serving Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Edgecomb, South Bristol, Southport and Westport Island. Her leadership over her first two terms in fighting the opioid epidemic is saving lives.

Ten years ago I had a harrowing experience with a teenage family member battling opioid addiction when the teen overdosed in my home. He was in and out of consciousness, and I called 911 for the paramedics. I was terrified. When I saw the paramedics outside, I opened the door, and was confronted by police officers. They said they would not let the paramedics in until they had “secured the scene.” When the police finally let the paramedics in, the teen was given Naloxone, taken to the emergency room, and thankfully recovered. But the delay in administering this life-saving drug could have led to a very different outcome.

Because of the advocacy and work of Holly Stover, what I (and the teen) had to suffer would not occur today in a Maine community. In the Legislature, she has co-sponsored bills that increase the availability of Naloxone in Maine communities, and allow police, firefighters and emergency personnel to stock, dispense and administer Naloxone in an emergency, including to family members. She has sponsored or co-sponsored bills eliminating the Mainecare requirement for prior authorization of substance abuse treatment medication so that treatment can be immediate, improving access to and reimbursement rates for treatment and requiring better coverage of behavioral health needs. As she has been quoted in the press: “Working with people with substance abuse disorders is very complex, and you really can’t separate that from mental health.”

Holly’s compassionate, science-based, comprehensive and integrated approach to the opioid crisis is essential to trying to effectively combat it. My good news is that the teen went to rehab two days after the overdose, and is now 10 years into recovery. The good news for Maine is that through the efforts of Holly Stover, lives are being saved because of the availability of Naloxone, substance abuse treatment, and behavioral health support. We need Holly in the Legislature to continue this good work. Vote for Holly Stover on Nov. 8!

Barbara Cray

Westport Island