Part 1: Ray and Joe are joined by Gordon Smith and Peter Bolduc. Governor Janet Mills recently named Executive Vice President of the Maine Medical Association, Gordon Smith, as the first Director of Opioid Response. He gives a short bio of his credentials. Ray asks him about the new committee/task force. Gordon tells us what is already in place and what are some of the steps he would like to see. Joe and Gordon talk about Narcan and needle exchanges.
Part 2: Ray is excited about the prospects that Gordon might be able to implement and the fact that it is a multi-pronged approach. Gordon explains that his only answers to the Governor, all of the other departments answer to him. They talk about how the intervention needs to start early and continue all through life. Drugs affect everyone, even the unborn. Ray asks Peter Bolduc what he has been doing to help combat this problem. Peter wants to know what happens when someone becomes “clean”, where do they go for more support. Gordon states that there is a lot of data, but now we are going to start to used this data. Ray asks Joe what he sees in pharmacies. He talks about the pharmacy “club” where people are sharing prescription drug. Joe is a huge fan of the Kentucky model and he explains what it is.
Part 3: Gordon had to leave for a meeting, but the discussion continues. Joe states that it is really exciting that Gordon seems to be truly interested and investing in fixing the drug crisis. They talk about how drugs and drug use has changed/not changed over the years. They take a break and talk to Fox News Radio’s Jon Decker. They discuss the government shutdown deadline looming. Ray asks Jon if he has run into Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Jon cracks a joke and they talk about the Democrat’s socialists view as a party.
Part 4: Ray is excited about Gordon Smith’s plans and what possibilities of change could happen. Peter and Joe talk about the fact that there is no department and so this is uncharted territory. Joe talks about the different reasons that people are doing drugs. Ray talks about the nuclear family’s role.
02-08-19 Ray & Joe Part 2
Part 1: Ray, Joe and Dee Dee discuss prescription vending machines. Joe tells us what they “say” will be inside and available, but Ray and Joe explain the “real” reason. That leads to the Plan B pill and its availability. They take a call from Larry about Elizabeth Warren.
Part 2: Ray and Joe talk about the new “Green New Deal” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass. has brought forth. The Green New Deal legislation sets goals for some drastic measures to cut carbon emissions across the economy, from electricity generation to transportation to agriculture. In the process, it aims to create jobs and boost the economy. Roy Lenardson calls in and makes fun of the scuttle coming out of the Virgina government.
02-08-19 Must Be Friday, Joe is Here!
Part 1: Ray is joined by Friday regular, Joe Bruno. They discuss Maine’s government protection proposed for government to pay for care of a spouse. The Sen. Margaret Craven, D-Lewiston sponsored L.D. 20, An Act to Fully Fund the Homemaker Services Program, during the last legislative session. Rep. Richard Malaby, R-Hancock, proposed a bill to add $460,000 over two years to cover the cost of adult day care for more low-income people.
Part 2: Ray and Joe talk about the government growing and not being business friendly. A lot of small businesses are struggling not to go out of business and are worried about the regulations that will be put into effect, like minimum wage increases and paid sick leave.
Part 3: The boys talk about the United States Trade Deal. NAFTA is not a good deal for Maine, but the new proposal seems to be better for all involved.
02-07-19 Living with Autism
Parts 1 & 2: Ray, Debi and Dee Dee are joined by Derek and Dylan Volk. Derek is the President and third generation owner of Volk Packaging Corporation in Biddeford, Maine, since 1967. He is also the author of “Chasing the Rabbit: A Dad’s Life Raising a Son on the Spectrum.” Derek and Dylan are promoting Dylan’s new book, Bad Choices Make Good Stories. It gives a first person’s account of life with Asperger’s syndrome. It is a raw, honest and sometimes sad perspective. You can order an unsigned copy of Chasing the Rabbit, along with Kindle and Audible versions on Amazon by clicking here. You can also purchase the Audio Book on iTunes by clicking here. Dylan’s book, Bad Choices Make Good Stories. This is a great interview with some really honest answers.