Mike Franklin of Manchester, ME An update for readers:

"JUMPER"

"Mauricio Shogun"

Neither one has tried to contact me by phone or email.report abuse

Michelle2 of Madison, ME 1st of all, if you all are so concerned about the crime rate, WAKE UP! Don't you think that if you close these places down the crime rate will sky-rocket! Sorry to break it to everyone but addiction is a real disease and of the few thousand people that have been given the opportunity to receive treatment, myself being one of them, I'm truly thankful. I have turned my life around, am able to hold a job and go to school. Do you think I was doing this stuff when my main concern everyday was where I was going to find something, just to not feel sick for the day (not even to get high). I realize there are a few that do abuse the system but just to let you all in on a little secret, we get random drug tests and the people that continue to use are put on a probation and then kicked out. I wish more of you addicts would sign up and straighten out your lives. You write these ridiculous comments when half of you are using as I write this. If not, I guarantee at least 85% of you will either be here, in jail or dead within the next couple of yearsreport abuse

HarryD of Waterville, ME There are a good number of methadone patients who pay good money for their maintenance treatment. Not all qualify for Mainecare. I am one of them, and I take my recovery very seriously. I was in college in Machias when I got addicted to oxycontin. Washington county has the worst opiate addiction in the state. When I no longer could afford these incredibly expensive pills I turned to less expensive potent heroin. I did not set out to become a junkie. It was a slow progression in which I eventually was doing things completely uncharacteristic of myself due to what a powerful addiction this is. It can happen to anyone. For many people it started with being prescribed potent narcotic painkillers after a surgery. Once the prescription ran out, the search for this sense of intense euphoria began. And so the progression, and fear of horrible withdrawals lead them down a lonely path. I tried quitting cold turkey, detox, and rehab after rehab. It is a terrible uncurable disease that I activated in myself. I relapsed time and time again. Methadone maintenance was a last resort for me. Without it I would likely be dead today. I am on a therapeutic dose that doesn't "zonk" me- to borrow Mr. shogun's lingo. To call me a trash addict is quite offensive. I attend NA regularly, and intend to be on methadone indefinitely until I am ready to come off. I have people who are close to me who were ready to come off who slowly titrated at their own pace, and now are effective members of society today attending college and working in the community. For some, methadone is the only way to recovery. To allow it, is in everyone's best interest. There may be a few who are giving it a bad name, but it's not as typical as all these haters would like everyone to think. Mike Franklin cares deeply about his patients and understands where they are at. He is one of the best things to happen to this clinic. He is very involved with us patients, and is tremendous at what he does.report abuse

Mike Franklin of Manchester, ME Mauricio - if you would like to continue this debate (in a civilized manner,not with personal attacks against someone you don't know) I would be happy to. You are welcome to call me at the clinic or you can email me: michaelf@discoveryhouse.comreport abuse