BIDDEFORD — Even as Maine’s opioid epidemic continues to run rampant, the newly-formed Saco-Biddeford Opiate Outreach Initiative has offered hope to those struggling with addiction.

In its first month in action, the SBOOI has proven itself a success, police and city officials said Tuesday.

Biddeford Police Chief Roger Beaupre and Saco Police Chief Raynald Demers announced in late January that Maegan Lambert-Irish, a certified substance abuse counselor, had been hired as the program’s coordinator.

In the month since her hiring, Lambert-Irish has reached out to 35 individuals, seen 15, assessed nine and placed five for treatment. She has also recorded five overdoses, Beaupre said in a press conference held at Biddeford City Hall on Tuesday.

“Like every city in America, Biddeford and Saco have felt the struggle of opiate use … finding a remedy that offered hope was difficult,” Biddeford Mayor Alan Casavant said to members of the press. “The collaborative that we highlight today focuses on meeting drug addicts ‘where they’re at.’ It is about building bridges to opportunities and building bridges to recovery.”

It was announced in early September that the Biddeford and Saco departments — along with those of Sanford, Portland and Westbrook — would share $1 million in funding from the Maine Department of Public Safety to establish programs designed to help people with substance abuse problems or addiction issues get on their feet.

The SBOOI officially began operating in November — with the aid of Biddeford Police Sgt. Steve Gorton and Saco Police Dep. Chief Corey Huntress — as a collaborative effort between the two cities. It’s goal is to facilitate pathways for addicts into community-based and medically-assisted treatments as well as into recovery and support services.

The SBOOI is founded on the premise that detoxification occurs behind walls but that recovery occurs in the community. The cities have partnership agreements with the University of New England’s Coastal Healthy Communities Coalition, Southern Maine Health Care and the York County District Attorney’s Office.

It’s been a busy month for Lambert-Irish, as drug addition is viewed as a significant problem for Biddeford.

According to the BPD’s 2016 Annual Report, drug overdoses are on the rise in Biddeford. There were 132 overdoses of over-the-counter, prescription or illegal drugs in 2016, statistics show. That’s more than double the 61 reported in 2013.

A total of 165 doses of the drug Narcan, an opiate antidote, was administered to 105 individuals in 2016 — a stark contrast from 2009, when only 19 doses of the drug were administered.

One of the greatest advantages of the Twin Cities’ latest initiative, said Beaupre, is its use of local treatment services and facilities. In the past, Beaupre has voiced his opposition to detoxification programs involving travel to centers across state lines.

“We want to take a common sense approach and focus on getting individuals into local services so they can recover in the community,” he said.

That common sense approach starts with individuals.

“We try to keep (addicts) in their own environment because they succeed when they are getting treatment and help from people around them,” said Lambert-Irish.

“If they’re in their own life getting treatment, they have better success,” she said. “All I need is a name and a number and I can do the rest … it all starts with just a conversation.”

Lambert-Irish said her role within the SBOOI is primarily to help those with substance abuse disorders overcome their personal barriers to treatment, not force them into programs if they’re not ready.

“I’m here to focus on getting individuals into treatment and that’s all I really care about. We want to reach out to as many people as possible,” she said. “Everybody has their own barriers and they’re quite different for each person. It might be as simple as, ‘Am I ready for treatment?’”

Other barriers, she said, include transportation to treatment centers, work schedules and family commitments. In addition, people may be referred to types of treatment that, for whatever reason, don’t work out for them.

“This program is designed to evolve as barriers evolve,” Saco Police Chief Demers said. “We are excited to have Maegan join us in our communities.”

“I just want people to know that I’m there,” Lambert-Irish said. “I want people to give me a call … It’s a conversation.”

Lambert-Irish has offices at both the Biddeford and Saco Police departments and can be reached by phone at 571-1652, ext. 7190.

— Staff Writer Alan Bennett can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329 or [email protected].