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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-20 Government Operations Committee Minutes Government Operations Committee Minutes th Monday, March 20, 2017 City Council Chambers Regular Agenda 1. RESOLVE, authorizing membership in the Maine Service Center Coalition and the appointment of a Voting Delegate Representative and an Alternate. Councilor Tremble motioned to accept resolve. Seconded by Councilor Sprague. All concurred. 2. Presentation by Gretchen Ziemen of the Maine Health Equity Alliance Gretchen presented information about the Maine Health Equity Alliance. Gretchen indicated that there is a major heroine epidemic and people are not getting the support that they need. They are now offering evidence based programs that are designed rather than to be punitive to put people in jail with no treatment emphasis is put on treatment and providing individuals with opportunities for treatment. Bangor is one of a few cities in the United States offering these types of programs. In fact, Bangor’s results are being monitored and could be used as a model for small cities throughout the country. It is a collaborative effort involving a variety of entities in the area. A case manager has just been hired. The idea is that officers are engaging individuals on the street all the time. Whether part of community policing contact or a response to a complaint, officers are provided with a set of questions to ask individuals to determine if an individual might be served in this diversion program. If applicable, this then creates a pre-arrest diversion. They are then refereed to the case manager to determine if they would benefit from the program and what would benefit the individual the most. There are different options for different people, which they then support people with their treatment. The case manager has an important role in helping keep the individual accountable for their treatment. Councilors asked various questions about the program. Gretchen emphasized that it is an evidence based program that has some science behind it therefore they know it works. A diversion program that connects a variety of people from the community to support individuals in their treatment and that allows them to get healthy in their own community is a positive benefit for everyone.