Some people in recovery swear by the effectiveness of the drugs, but the FDA and many treatment experts say there is no credible evidence to support their use.
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.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
Influenza accelerating in Maine, with 531 new cases in the last week
The outbreak in the state reflects a national trend caused by the virulent A H3N2 strain of the flu virus.
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Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine town manager under fire for promoting white separatism
Thomas Kawczynski, the town manager in Jackman, says he is a steward for New Albion, a group that says it is ‘defending the people and culture of New England.’
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
Lyme cases in Maine spiked again in 2017 to another record
Data from the Maine CDC shows another tick-borne illness, anaplasmosis, also hit a record high, and both diseases can have long-term health impacts.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Dozens testify in support of bill to fund addiction treatment for homeless
The proposal would create a pilot program to get homeless people into medication-assisted treatment and housing, although the funding source is not clear.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
Maine’s not immune: Health officials say state now has ‘widespread’ cases of the flu
Through Jan. 6, Maine had reported 768 cases, most of them the most virulent strain, according to the state Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News, Politics
Trump administration opens door to work requirements for Mainers who benefit from Medicaid
The move pleases Gov. LePage because Maine has asked the government if it can make benefits dependent upon having a job, training for one, volunteering or doing community service.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
Number of drug-affected babies born in Maine declines for the first time in over a decade
The decrease to 952 cases in 2017 came after a long period of increases coinciding with rising opioid use, but treatment experts say the epidemic still has the state firmly in its grip.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
After criticism, Maine lawmakers propose improving care for those with intellectual disabilities
The measures were prompted by a federal audit in August that highlighted the state’s failure to investigate 133 deaths, as well as other shortcomings in its oversight of community-based services.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
Lyme disease vaccine sees only plodding progress
The FDA has approved clinical trials for one vaccine, but it will likely be years before a product goes to market to prevent a disease that affects at least 30,000 people in the U.S. each year.