CARIBOU, Maine — Recovery Aroostook held a vigil on Aug. 31 in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day. The group just was created on May 11 after an addiction awareness event at the Caribou Performing Arts Center inspired its formation.
Recovery Aroostook members Ronnie Bossie and Erik Lamoreau were present at Thursdays on Sweden in Caribou on Thursday, and sold shirts to raise money for the group’s ultimate goal of building a recovery center that would act as a safe place for addicts and family members to seek help locally.
“We’re trying to bring awareness to the community about substance abuse, about the services provided here, and also about the additional services we’re working to build,” said Recovery Aroostook Chairman Ronnie Bosse. “We want people to know where they can go and that help is out there.”
Lamoreau said the group’s presence at the Caribou street event was designed to let the public know that help is available. Members also were there to raise money via T-shirt sales and donations.
“Our vision statement is to create a community that celebrates recovery,” Lamoreau said. “We want people to come off the streets and out of the black cellars. We have lots of people in the group, from medical professionals, church representatives, recovering addicts, and members of law enforcement and we’re working on some big things for The County.”
Both Lamoreau and Bossie wore pieces of paper pinned to their shirts with “378 ME” written out on them, indicating the 378 drug related deaths in Maine the last year.
The vigil began in the Caribou Theater parking lot at 8:30 p.m. as Thursdays on Sweden was ending. The theater lawn was lined with bags that included candles and a messages for loved ones taken by drugs.
Lamoreau introduced himself to the crowd of more than 50 and introduced a few public speakers before holding a 60 second moment of silence.
Lisa Betancourth, the first speaker, discussed the death of her son Andrew Mallett, who went by the nickname “Peaches.”
“My son died from an accidental overdose,” Betancourth said. “The drug he sought out, and believed he purchased, is not what was sold to him.”
“My son, my child, my baby boy died from a fentanyl overdose,” Betancourth said. “He fought his demons for many years, and was in and out of hospitals for his entire young life. Recently, he sought out information on rehab and found one with a a six month waiting list. He was clean for five months until he decided [to take drugs] one last time, and that was what took his life.”
Those who know someone dealing with addiction, or are dealing with addiction themselves, can call the Aroostook Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition at 498-9952 for help.
