- DHHS Substance Abuse Mental Health Services: 800-499-0027
- Narcotic Anonymous: 800-974-0062
- State Crisis Hotline: 888-568-1112
Prescription drug abuse has likely touched you in some way, whether it's your own addiction, or a friend or a family member that's struggling. Right now in Maine there are on average two prescriptions written for every citizen in the state.
News 13's Adrienne Stein introduces us to a woman who knows all too well how pain killers can cause more pain, than relief.
Deb Marchand's pictures tell a story with a hopeful beginning, a memorable middle and a tragic end. Marchand's son, Christopher died on Valentine’s Day 2010, After years of prescription drug abuse.
Christopher was born with a rare disorder that keeps blood from clotting normally. He would spent weeks at a time in the hospital. As a child, Christopher took prescription medications for treatment, but Marchand's baseball loving boy grew into an addict.
On the list of doctor prescribed drugs Christopher was taking at the time of his death, only two she says were for treatment of his disease. Christopher also had a host of street drugs in his body when he died.
Dealers know they can make quick cash. An oxycodone pill, the most sought after on the street, can go for up to $45 a tablet. That's one reason for a dramatic increase in pharmacy robberies in Maine. In 2008, there were two pharmacy robberies, four in 2009, 23 in 2010 and as of today there have already been nearly 50 robberies. Those pills end up in the hands of addicts like Christopher.
Christopher left behind four children. Marchand says making sure her grandkids are okay has gotten her through the tough times. Marchand says she reached out to Christopher's doctor a couple months before his death to talk about her concerns but she says the doctor never called her back. This is an issue we will continue to follow on News 13.
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