ROCKLAND  – Knox County Law Enforcement invites all interested community members to a free informational session Thursday, April 11, about the newly-formed Knox County Recovery Collaborative (KCRC). The session will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Steel House, 639 Main Street, Rockland, and will be hosted by Knox County Sheriff Tim Carroll.

“We’re ready,” said Carroll, in a March 25 news release. “I’m looking forward to working with this dedicated group of community and health partners here in Knox County.  Together, with community support, we can help fight the problems of mental health and substance use disorders that are plaguing our society. “

Through the KCRC, Knox County Sheriff’s office, Rockland, Rockport, Thomaston and Camden police department will partner with local community resource partners to address the harmful use and effects of heroin, fentanyl, opioids and other illicit substances in Knox County, the release said.

The April 11 presentation will include an overview of KCRC, information on how community members can support the effort and outline next steps. Refreshments will be served.

Founding partners of the KCRC include:

Tim Carroll, Knox County Sheriff
Rep. Pinny Beebe-Center, Maine State Representative for District 93
Bruce Hodsdon, executive director of the Coastal Recovery Community Center
Melissa Bellew, chief executive officer for Penobscot Bay YMCA
Connie Putnam, director for the Knox County Community Health Coalition
Kendra Emery, DO, PBMC Integrated Medication Assisted Treatment (IMAT) medical director 
Mike Rich, PT, senior director of operations at Pen Bay Medical Center
Stephanie Primm, executive director for the Knox County Homeless Coalition
Debra Poulin, LCSW, CCS, senior director of Substance Use Treatment and Prevention at Maine Behavioral Healthcare

For more information about the event, contact Sheriff Tim Carroll at 207-594-0429, ext. 701.