Senator Collins Speaks at Residential Treatment Facility Open House in Presque Isle

Presque Isle, ME - Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins delivered remarks at an open house for Aroostook Mental Health Services (AMHC) new residential substance use disorder treatment facility. 

“AMHC has led the charge to empower those seeking treatment and recovery from substance use disorder in northern Maine for nearly sixty years," said Senator Collins. “It was a pleasure to join them in the dedication of this wonderful new facility, which will allow them to meet the rising demand for their important services.  As Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I am committed to ensuring that the needs of Maine’s people are met.  Access to treatment is essential if we are to break the cycle of addiction. ”

Senator Collins, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, secured $1 million in Congressionally Directed Spending in Fiscal Year 2022 to support the construction and renovation of the new residential treatment facility in Presque Isle after the old AMHC facility in Limestone went into disrepair. The Presque Isle residential treatment facility increases AMHC’s capacity from 12 beds to 18 beds and will include two social withdrawal management beds, a service not previously available at the Limestone facility. 

In attendance were members of the community including Gordon Smith; Director of Opioid Response for the State of Maine, and agency staff, including Ellen Bemis; Chief Executive Officer for AMHC, Julia Macek; Program Director of Behavioral Health and Integration in Aroostook County for AMHC.

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