Troy Jackson was wrong about overdose prevention centers | Letter
Maine Senate Stalled on Overdose Prevention Centers, Advocates Call for Action
Brunswick, Maine – A letter written by Brent Hawkes, a resident of Brunswick, was published in the local press urging legislators to approve overdose prevention centers that have been on the ballot since 2019. Hawkes points out that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that overdose deaths in Maine rose to 2,600 in 2023, the highest in the nation’s history.
The proposal, first introduced by state lawmakers in 2019, calls for safe‑injection sites designed to reduce the spread of HIV and hepatitis C—a public‑health concern that has surged in Penobscot County and other parts of Maine. Hawkes noted that these centers would remove needles from public streets, thereby protecting both the community and drug users.
Despite the evidence, the Senate’s 2023 vote rejected the legislation. Troy Jackson and Joseph Baldacci—both Democrats—joined a coalition of Republicans in voting against the measure. Jackson’s voting history includes opposition to gay marriage and abortion, according to the state’s public record. Baldacci has also faced criticism for voting against harm‑reduction measures.
“We need to stop talking about solutions and finally pass this life‑saving legislation,” Hawkes wrote. “It’s time for the Legislature to act.”
The letter, titled “It’s time to stop talking about solutions for the opioid epidemic and finally pass this much‑needed and life‑saving legislation for overdose prevention centers,” was signed from Brunswick. Hawkes called on his fellow citizens to pressure lawmakers to prioritize public health over politics.
The debate over overdose prevention centers continues as advocates emphasize that safe‑injection sites reduce overdose fatalities, cut the transmission of bloodborne infections, and serve as a bridge to treatment. Opponents argue that such sites could encourage drug use and attract crime to the surrounding area.
Maine’s Legislature remains divided. The 2023 Senate vote, which was close but ultimately fell short of the majority required, left the proposal in limbo. Hawkes and other advocates hope that, as the 2026 election approaches, the issue will resurface on the campaign trail.
The letter was accompanied by a request that readers forward the link to the publication’s coverage of Maine’s 2026 election and stay informed through the Maine Political Report.
The article above is based on the facts presented in Brent Hawkes’s letter to the editor, the 2019 proposal for overdose prevention centers, and the Senate vote in 2023 in which Senators Troy Jackson and Joseph Baldacci opposed the measure.
