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Series on addiction

The cost of substance abuse in Maine isn’t just about the $618 million spent annually on illness, crime and child welfare. The real human costs affect every person in Maine. Rarely have those costs and so many of the complicated issues involving substance abuse been presented as clearly as they are in HBO’s 14-part series, “Addiction.”

Opiate addiction is at near-epidemic proportions in parts of Maine. The documentary highlights a program at Acadia Hospital in Bangor that effectively uses medication-assisted treatment to help opiate addicts recover from addiction.

The Addiction Project is an unprecedented multiplatform campaign aimed at helping Americans understand addiction as a chronic but treatable brain disease.

One in four Americans has a family member who is struggling with addiction. In 2005, 23.2 million Americans needed treatment for drug or alcohol abuse problems, yet only about 10 percent received treatment.

Debuting 9-10:30 p.m. Thursday, March 15, with the centerpiece 90-minute documentary, “Addiction,” the series is eye-opening and hopeful, providing guidance in navigating the often confusing world of addiction treatment and recovery.

Time Warner Cable will make the “Addiction” series available to digital cable customers in Maine and portions of New Hampshire as part of a public service during the free preview weekend March 15-18.

“We contacted Time Warner to ask what we could do to help get the word out,” said Kim Johnson, director of the Maine Office of Substance Abuse. “I’ve seen the preview materials HBO sent out and am very impressed with this series. I recommend it to everyone. It’s clear and compassionate and accurately describes what it is to live with a substance use disorder.”

Acadia Hospital in Bangor is featured prominently in “Addiction.”

“The Acadia Hospital is pleased to offer an advance screening of the centerpiece documentary here in Bangor. The show and its message align well with our ongoing Close to Home opiate education campaign,” said Acadia Hospital President and CEO Dorothy E. Hill.

“Substance abuse is an issue that touches the lives of many Mainers and we are glad to do what we can to make sure the important messages in HBO’s “Addiction” reach as wide an audience as possible,” said Keith Burkley, president of Time Warner Cable, New England Division. “With that in mind, we plan on purchasing additional copies of the documentary after the free preview and seeing about making them available at local libraries.”

Other digital cable services in Maine may offer the free preview. Contact provider for more information. For help with substance abuse problems in Maine, call the Maine Crisis Hotline: (888) 568-1112 or visit: www.maine.gov/dhhs/osa/help/index.htm.

On improving health

OLD TOWN – Dr. Michael Noonan will give a series of talks designed to improve overall health at 7 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of the month at Old Town Public Library.

Participants are welcome to learn lifestyle changes to help prevent and treat the modern killers – diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and cancer. The talks are free and topics will include wellness principles, stress control, exercise and diet.

For information, contact Noonan Chiropractic at 827-5951.

Successful concert

The kids rocked Eastern Maine Community College’s Johnston Gym on Feb. 11 as children’s performer Rick Charette serenaded 500 screaming fans. In the process, he raised $4,500 for Camp CaPella.

Katie Guernsey, the UCP volunteer who spearheaded the event, called the outpouring of support “so tremendous, I had to turn away more than 300 fans because the facility just couldn’t accommodate them all.”

Radio personalities Mike & Mike of Kiss 94.5 FM kicked off the event by introducing the popular children’s singer. Soon thereafter the children, knee-to-waist high, rushed the stage to join in the singing. Charette encouraged their participation and the hall echoed with “I Love Mud” and “Alligator In The Elevator,” interactive songs for which Charette is well-known.

The $4,500 raised will support camping experiences for children with disabilities through United Cerebral Palsy of Maine. Event sponsors included Art Landry Plumbing and Heating, Climo Electric, Patawa Club, Unicel, Eastern Maine Community College, Miller Drug, Acadia Mortgage, Creative Digital Imaging and WBRC Architects-Engineers.

Established in 1954, United Cerebral Palsy of Maine is committed to advancing the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities. UCP of Maine serves children and adults living with disabilities, providing early childhood education programs, social work and case management services, resident transitional housing, respite care, physical and occupational therapy, behavioral health and day habilitation services. For more information, visit www.ucpofmaine.org.

Understanding addiction

BANGOR – Maine Kids-Kin, a program of Families And Children Together, will continue presenting the three-part series, “Addiction: Understanding Its Roots and Learning About Its Effects.” The series is designed for grandparents, aunts, uncles and other relatives raising children affected by addiction and substance abuse.

The second of the free presentations, “Recovering Hope: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder,” is set for 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 28, at Families And Children Together, 304B Hancock St., Bangor.

The video features mothers and their families speaking about the effects of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, how they cope with the effects of the disorder and their hopes for the future. Also included in the film are researchers and clinicians presenting information about evaluation of and intervention for those affected by the syndrome.

After the presentation, Susan Burgess will answer questions during a discussion period.

The series will continue with a final presentation on Wednesday, April 25. The presentations are free of charge, but registration is required. Child care is available on site by request. To obtain more information, or to register, call Janelle Wuoristo at 941-2347 or (866) 298-0896.

Better Breathers Club

BANGOR – St. Joseph Hospital’s Better Breathers Club, a support group for people with breathing disorders, will hold a special meeting during Pulmonary Rehab Week noon-2 p.m. Thursday, March 15, at the Willette Conference Center, Building 1, 900 Broadway. For more information, call Vicki or Denise at 262-1809.