Westbrook Fire Chief Andrew Turcotte introduced his friend and colleague Bob MacKenzie, Police Chief of Kennebunk ME and member of Kennebunk Rotary Club. The topic this week - a new committee formed this year in District 7780 called the Recovery Initiative. Bob has been Police Chief in Kennebunk for 9 years, a Rotarian for over 10 years, and is chairing this new committee. Creating the Recovery initiative has given him the opportunity to marry his background and interest in public safety with service in Rotary.
Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the US. In 2016, there were over 52,000 deaths nationwide from drug overdoses, 378 of those in Maine. Opioid addiction is driving this epidemic. It is projected that over 650,000 people across the US will die due to opioids in the next decade. Nationally, we spend in excess of $400B annually against substance misuse.
According to a 2010 study, from 1980s-2009, fighting substance misuse cost about $1654 per year for every US citizen over 18. Bob estimates that this cost has at least doubled since then. Since addiction drives criminal behavior, these costs are seen in: policing, court costs, security, health insurance/health care, and property insurance/property loss.
Chief MacKenzie with Chief Turcotte and Mike Foley
The Recovery Initiative touches on all six of Rotary’s areas of focus: Disease Prevention – addiction is a disease that can be treated and prevented. Economic Development – active addicts are not working or contributing to the economy. Clean Water – keeping drugs out of the waste stream through reduced drug use and drug take-backs. Education & Literacy – addicted parents can’t keep their child fed or help them learn. Peace & Conflict Resolution – addiction drives crime.
One project already underway is the Red Ribbon Committee of the Biddeford Saco Rotary Club. Their goal is to educate youth and their community about substance misuse and encourage participation in drug prevention activities. This includes mentoring at-risk youth.
On Saturday September 9, the Kennebunk Rotary Club is hosting a 3-hour training class. The class will include overdose recognition, first aid (including compression-only CPR), and administering NARCAN. Bob hopes to train more Rotarians who can bring that training to their communities. For more information, contact Bob at: rmackenzie@kennebunkmaine.us
Bob MacKenzie signed a book for the Baxter Library
L-R: President Bill Chadwick, Chief MacKenzie,
Christine Johnson