Addiction is a disease that touches many people's lives, whether it's a personal history or watching a loved one combat a substance use disorder. For those seeking recovery, Community Resource Council's (CRC)’s Addiction Outreach Program offers a range of supports.  

According to the United States National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 48.5 million (16.7%) Americans (aged 12 and older) struggled with substance use in the past year in 2023. The program, which serves Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Edgecomb and Southport, helps an estimated 40 new people each year, besides people in prolonged recovery. This number increases in summer due to the influx of seasonal workers. 

“We try to give hope to people who are pretty hopeless, and help them see a different pathway,” said Holly Stover, CRC’s Addiction Outreach Specialist. 

The program, funded by grants and individual donations, began nine years ago, spurred on by the rising opiate crisis and the increased loss of young life in the community. While the dialogue around addiction has become more compassionate in recent years and more information has come to light about the causes of the opioid epidemic, Stover explained that there were few options for people when the program first started.  

“’We can’t keep arresting our way out of this,’” Stover recalled the words of then BHPD Police Chief Bob Hasch. Since then, the CRC has partnered closely with local law enforcement. According to Chief Doug Snyder, the police may discuss recovery resources after an arrest, recommend rehab to judges during the sentencing process, or accept surrendered drugs.  

However, Stover explained that the police’s role goes far beyond the legal aspects. The programs endeavor to offer whatever services a person needs, whether it’s helping them get back to work, secure housing, or transporting them to a detox, rehab facility, or hospital. Speed is often of the essence as people are liable to change their minds about getting help. This is why law enforcement can be invaluable for transportation. Stover also pointed to the role they can play in helping people feel a sense of community again. 

“When you're in the throes of crisis and addiction, you may not believe that anybody cares about you anymore. Oftentimes, we're the last people they have left,” said Stover. 

The CRC also works with other local organizations such as pharmacies and Lincoln Medical partners to help secure needed prescriptions or counseling (as substance use is often a symptom of unresolved traumas). The YMCA offers scholarships for those who use exercise to assist in their recovery.  

One of the most important, and common, supports the program offers is helping people without health insurance pay for medication until they can get coverage. This is essential as medication such as suboxone, which treats dependency on opioid drugs, can stop cravings and keep people from relapsing.  

With access to possibly life-saving medication in mind, the CRC is working to install a Narcan vending machine in downtown Boothbay Harbor. Narcan can be used in emergencies to reverse the effects of a drug overdose. While it is usually available for free in pharmacies and hospitals, these places are not accessible 24/7.  

The only obstacle to installation is that the CRC is seeking an appropriate location as the backend of the vending machine requires a temperature-controlled environment to keep the medicine viable. Anyone willing to host the machine is urged to get in contact. The CRC will pay for any environmental modifications needed.  

In her years working in addiction outreach, Stover has found one of the most difficult parts is seeing the lost potential of people whose aspirations are taken away by drugs. 

“(But that) doesn't mean you don't get it back. That doesn't mean that you can't go on and do great things,” said Stover. 

That's why the CRC meets people where they're at, whether it's calling on the phone, meeting in a living room or on a park bench, Stover encourages anyone interested in getting assistance to reach out.

Stover can also be reached at (207) 350-7477.   

The Addiction Outreach program helps host meetings every Tuesday at the Congregational Church in Boothbay Harbor, 3 – 4 p.m. Everyone is welcome, whether they are struggling with addiction, or have loved ones who are.