Local and state law enforcement officials have made multiple drug arrests in the Boothbay Harbor area and police say investigations are ongoing. Although the arrest numbers may not seem like a lot compared to larger cities, Boothbay Harbor Police Chief Bob Hasch said it’s indicative of a growing local problem with hard drug use.

“The general population is not aware of how rampant the hard drug problem is here, as well as in other parts of the state and nation,” Hasch said.  “It’s here in what I would say epidemic proportions and it is a problem that is spanning all socioeconomic groups.”

Hasch said drug addiction, particularly to prescription pills, heroin and amphetamines, is a problem local police are seeing “in tremendous proportions in post-2000 high school graduates.”

Hasch said the local police department is looking to do more than arrest and incarcerate drug offenders. He said he has been talking to local community members and local healthcare facilities about finding ways to help drug addicts kick the habit.

“This is medical issue as well as a criminal issue. If someone wants help, we will take them somewhere where they can get it, no questions asked,” Hasch said.

Hasch said he has been in contact with Mid Coast Hospital’s Addiction Resource Center program in Damariscotta and Pen Bay Hospital’s Psychiatry and Addiction Recovery Center, which has 18 beds. “These options are only for people who really want to get better,” he said.

Hasch said police will continue to make drug arrests and will focus those efforts on identifying and arresting dealers. But he also said he hopes people struggling with addiction, and their families, will look to the police as an avenue for help.

“We are going to continue to make arrests but we are also training our officers on what they can do to help addicts seeking help,” Hasch said.