Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition
In 2006, HCC applied for and received funding from the Maine Office of Substance Abuse to more comprehensively assess the nature of substance abuse in Greater Franklin County, build community capacity to address the identified issues, and develop a five year strategic plan to reduce and prevent substance abuse. More than 40 community members participated in developing the 2007 strategic plan.
The members created a Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition whose mission is to strategically reduce and prevent substance abuse in youth and adults in Greater Franklin County, Maine, by fostering collaboration among communities and other partners, and by addressing the environmental factors in a community that contribute to substance abuse. Coalition members continue to meet regularly to assess the needs of the community and work together towards preventing substance abuse.
Click here for the Substance Abuse Assessment
Parent Information
Underage Drinking Laws
If you break the law: Children can get hurt or die. You can face a fine of up to $2,000 and/or 1 year in jail. Others can sue you if anyone gets hurt or property is damaged. Protect yourself, and your teen: Refuse to supply alcohol. Be home when your teen has a party. Monitor your home if you are out of town. Talk to other parents.
As a parent, you cannot give alcohol to your teen’s friends under the age of 21 under any circumstance, even in your own home, even with their parent’s permission.
Find Out More, Do More
"Find Out More, Do More" was created by the Maine Office of Substance Abuse to heighten parental awareness of Maine's underage alcohol use. The campaign focuses on providing practical tips to parents with the skills and resources they need to better monitor teen behavior. More information can be found at: www.maineparents.net.
Click here for 5 Ways to Reduce Risk
Alcohol Server and Seller Trainings
The Program provides:
- Free information on responsible alcohol sales/service best practices,
- Tools, including free materials, to assess and address strengths and weaknesses in a licensee’s current alcohol sales/service policy and practices,
- Suggestions for no-to-low cost changes that can help reduce the risk of violating state liquor laws.
Training will cover:
- Identifying minors and visibly intoxicated persons (VIPs)
- Intervention to prevent a VIP patron from driving
- How alcohol is ingested and metabolized by the body
- What alcoholism is and how alcohol affects the body
- False ID detection and carding policy
- The importance of good written policies
- The Liquor Liability Act
Quality training has proven to be an effective tool which when applied:
- Prevents costly violations
- Instills more confidence in your alcohol servers
- May reduce Liquor Liability Insurance (check with your insurance provider)
Frank Lyons, the instructor, is a retired Law Enforcement Officer; he served in Law Enforcement at the local, county and state level for 29 years. He spent the majority of his career serving as a Liquor Enforcement Officer and trainer for the Department of Public Safety.
Those who successfully complete the program will be registered with the Maine Department of Public Safety, Liquor Licensing and will receive a certificate that is good for five years.
Office of Substance Abuse - Alcohol Sales Policy
What is Card ME?
The Card ME Program aims to reduce illegal and/or irresponsible alcohol sales and service by providing communities and liquor licensees with a model and resources to:
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Make it more difficult for underage and visibly intoxicated persons to obtain alcohol from liquor licensees,
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Increase a licensee's capacity and motivation in improving their responsible retailing efforts, and
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Build stronger community norms around limiting alcohol availability to underage and visibly intoxicated persons.
The Card ME Program is a voluntary responsible alcohol sales/service program that takes an innovative approach to reducing sales of alcohol to minors and visibly intoxicated persons. The program provides managers and owners with free tools to help set norms and expectations around selling/serving alcohol at their business.
The Program provides:
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Free information on responsible alcohol sales/service best practices,
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Tools, including free materials, to assess and address strengths and weaknesses in a licensee’s current alcohol sales/service policy and practices,
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Suggestions for no-to-low cost changes that can help reduce the risk of violating state liquor laws.
What materials are available through the Card ME program?
The Card ME Program also offers materials to assist licensees in assessing their need for and to improve implemention of on-going responsible alcohol sales/service best practices.
These resources include:
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A Guide for management of Maine liquor licensees which highlights important Maine liquor laws and best practices they can begin implementing in their establishment to protect their business and their community
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Posters and signage for the public and employee areas which communicate state laws and store policies
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Materials to inform customers of the business’ commitment to responsible retailing of age-restricted products
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Pay stub labels for employees to act as on-going reminders of laws and policies around selling age-restricted products
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Occurrence log for employees and management to communicate with each other about illegal or questionable attempts to purchase age-restricted products.
Card ME Materials are available in versions for both:
On-Premise liquor licensees (bars/restaurants/taverns)
Off-Premise liquor licensees (grocery stores/convenience stores/agency liquor stores)
How can liquor licensees participate in Card ME?
If you would like to participate in the Card Me Program please contact:
Jessica Lawson
1-207-779-2927
Prescription Monitoring Program
Maine's Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) is a tool created to prevent and detect prescription drug misuse and diversion. PMP maintains a database of all transactions for controlled substances dispensed in the State of Maine. This database is available online to prescribers and dispensers. A free service of the Office of Substance Abuse (OSA) in the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, the PMP database is quickly becoming a standard tool for clinicians to provide better care to their patients throughout the state. Anyone with a DEA number is encouraged to register to request patient reports.
For more information visit:
Prescription Monitoring Program
For substance abuse resources go to: The Community Connector or contact:
Nicole Ditata, MCHES Program Coordinator
207-779-2932
Jessica Lawson, Program Associate
207-779-2927
