Governor Tries to Save Lives with Naloxone, Legislature Advances Bill to be Vetoed

AUGUSTA – Governor Paul R. LePage today released a statement about LD 1686, "An Act To Address Preventable Deaths from Drug Overdose," after learning the Legislature has added a poison pill to the compromise amendment:

“After Democratic Rep. Barry Hobbins and I worked on a compromise to this bill and it appeared to be moving forward, the Legislature decided to play political games with people’s lives. They put forth a bill with additional amendments, which faces a certain veto.

“Our compromise bill allows family members to carry naloxone, but not police, which was acceptable to Rep. Hobbins and Rep. Sara Gideon, the bill’s Democratic sponsor. Despite their agreement with me, the Legislature has put up a version of the bill they know full well will be shot down. We are trying to provide this life-saving measure to families, but lawmakers are trying to score political points.”