Joe Lawlor

Staff Writer

Joe Lawlor writes about health and human services for the Press Herald. A 24-year newspaper veteran, Lawlor has worked in Ohio, Michigan and Virginia before relocating to Maine in 2013 to join the Press Herald. He is still considered “from away” but since then, he has learned what a “dooryard” is, eaten “whoopie pies” drank Moxie and boiled some “lobstahs.” The stories he enjoys most are when he learns something and meeting inspiring people. He lives in South Portland - aka “SoPo” - with his wife, Melanie, and two school-age children.

Latest

Published
April 4, 2016

Merrymeeting Behavioral Health blames ‘media frenzy’ for early closure

The agency says its bank froze its account after reports on the potential impact of changes in a MaineCare program being considered by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Published
March 29, 2016

Possible DHHS reimbursement cuts concern Maine’s mental health agencies

Advocates for the mentally ill say the proposals would debilitate community-based services in the state.
Published
March 27, 2016

Data suggest use of heroin rose in Maine as access to pills waned

The correlation emerges in a Telegram review of drug addiction treatment; meanwhile, state efforts to further restrict prescription opioids proceed carefully.
Published
March 18, 2016

LePage administration, doctors compromise on opioid prescribing bill

They agree on a dosage limit, a time limit and training for doctors.
Published
March 18, 2016

Agencies fear new DHHS rules for support services will harm mentally ill clients

As the state narrows which patients can get services, advocates say many could land in Maine jails and shelters.
Published
March 16, 2016

Maine doctors back 2 bills to restrict opioid prescriptions, but seek flexibility

The measures would set limits on the length of prescriptions for opioid pain relievers, which are addictive and have played a large role in the state’s heroin epidemic.
Published
March 16, 2016

Midcoast, Down East lead Maine in rates of fatal drug overdoses

There doesn’t seem to be a clear-cut reason as yet, but experts have theories.
Published
March 13, 2016

At St. Patrick’s Parade in Portland, going green is child’s play

School-age dancers capture the hearts of many in the crowd, pounding their feet in unison to pulsating Irish music.
Published
March 11, 2016

Obama heroin treatment program sending $2.4 million to Maine

The money will fund substance abuse treatment programs in Portland, Bangor, Lincoln and Waterville.
Published
March 9, 2016

Portland basks in record high warmth for the day

Temperatures rise into the 60s, easily breaking the record of 55 degrees, set on March 9, 2012.