WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Office of U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the September edition of Senator King’s “Inside Maine” podcast, focusing on recovery from substance use disorders (SUDs). In this episode, Senator King first welcomed U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), with whom he is working to introduce a Senate resolution designating September National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, and discussed and each state’s priorities for combating substance abuse. In the second segment, Senator King welcomed Bob Fowler, Executive Director of Milestone Recovery, to talk about the role that Bob has played to improve recovery services in Maine.

“Substance abuse is one of the most pressing issues facing Maine and the country, costing us a life each day in our state,” said Senator King. “To combat this crisis and best help those who are suffering, we need to reduce the stigmas around substance abuse and work to expand the base of professionals who can offer treatment. By introducing the National Recovery Month resolution, Senator Capito and I hope to enhance the conversation around recovery practices and support the mission of folks in the state like Bob who are helping those with substance use disorders recover to lead happy and healthy lives.”

Senator Capito was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014, and currently serves as West Virginia’s junior Senator. Senator Capito serves on the following committees: Environment and Public Works; Commerce, Science, & Transportation; Appropriations; and Rules and Administration. Prior to Senator Capito’s election, she served as the Congresswoman for West Virginia’s Second Congressional District for 14 years. 

Bob Fowler is the Executive Director of Milestone Recovery – the only nonprofit medical detox program in Portland, Maine. Its mission is to provide the best quality services to empower individuals with substance use and behavioral health disorders to attain stability, dignity, recovery, and an enhanced quality of life. Milestone Recovery runs a Residential Treatment Program in Old Orchard Beach, provides sober housing, and runs a Homeless Outreach Mobile Engagement (HOME) program to provide services to individuals living on the streets. 

Senator King has made combating the opioid crisis one of his top priorities in Washington. He has held roundtables throughout Maine – from Portland to Bangor to Milo to Paris – and last October, he met with Maine people in recovery and treatment providers at the Bangor Area Recovery Network (BARN) in Brewer to discuss the importance of pre-existing condition protections for those seeking to recover from substance use disorders (SUDs). Last year, Senator King voted for the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, sweeping opioid legislation which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and included several King-backed provisions to help Maine families and communities affected by the opioid crisis. The legislation was the result of months of bipartisan hearings and discussions on the opioid crisis.  

In September 2018, Senator King spoke on the Senate Floor in support of the Addiction Treatment Access Improvement Act, which would permanently authorize nurse practitioners and physician assistants to prescribe medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders. Earlier that month, he attended and gave remarks at the Rally 4 Recovery at Deering Oaks Park in Portland. The event celebrated those who are recovering from substance use disorders, as well as their friends, families, and support systems. In July 2018, Senator King hosted a panel at the Camden Opera House featuring medical professionals, employers and advocates to discuss ways to lessen the stigma surrounding Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) in order to help more people decide to pursue treatment, and return to the workforce. 

The “Inside Maine Podcast with Senator Angus King” is a 30-minute program that aims to help keep Maine people informed about issues of the day, how they affect life in the state, and how they factor into Senator King’s work as one of two independents in the U.S. Senate. Senator King’s podcast builds on his existing radio show that airs on Newsradio WGAN in Portland, Maine between 10 and 11 a.m. on almost every last Saturday of the month. The link to the September podcast can be found HERE.