Issue
Drug use and syringe programs: where Bangor's council candidates stand
Penobscot County has an HIV outbreak that mainly affects people who inject drugs and are homeless. Two syringe service programs operate in Bangor, Needlepoint Sanctuary and Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness, funded through the state rather than the city. Under Maine CDC rules, a program can give up to 100 sterile needles to someone with no used ones to return; above that, exchanges are one-for-one. Cities may set stricter limits. In June 2026 a council committee voted 2-3 against a proposed 180-day ban on new syringe programs and treatment facilities. Candidates differ on exchange limits, labeling needles, litter cleanup and disposal boxes. Maine CDCBDN, June 23BDN, June 1BDN, Sept. 9
What should the city do about public drug use and needle litter?
Candidates in ballot order.
- Ballot position 01
Joe Leonard Incumbent
Opposes new restrictions on syringe service providers. Wants more syringe disposal boxes around the city to address needle litter. BDN, Sept. 30 Watch at 0:05
- Ballot position 02
Michael Furrow
Would ban syringe exchange programs. Has proposed labeling needles and fining agencies whose syringes are found littered. BDN, Oct. 2 Watch at 0:40
- Ballot position 03
Andrei Yermakov
Supports needle exchange programs, citing the county's HIV outbreak, and wants more sharps disposal containers. BDN, Sept. 25 Watch at 1:17
- Ballot position 04
Anthony Cote
Wants a lower limit on how many syringes a person can get from an exchange and says distribution enables addiction. Wants syringe litter cleaned up. Calls the current exchange limits, which he described as 100 to one, too aggressive. BDN, Sept. 22BDN, Oct. 5 Watch at 2:44
- Ballot position 05
James Gallagher
Would have supported a pause on new syringe programs but does not want existing programs closed, citing the HIV outbreak and hepatitis C. BDN, Sept. 26 Watch at 3:48
- Ballot position 06
Terry Dinkins
Wants syringe distribution cut drastically. Would prefer to end it but would accept a one-for-one exchange. Wants people using drugs in public held accountable, leaving it to police whether that means a summons or arrest. BDN, Sept. 20BDN, Oct. 5 Watch at 4:31
- Ballot position 07
Joseph Pratt
Would not have backed the proposed ban on new syringe programs. Wants programs to show community benefit and the city to track HIV rates, overdoses and needle litter. BDN, Sept. 18 Watch at 5:40
- Ballot position 08
Adam Baker
Supports syringe service programs, and says housing people is the main way to reduce needle litter and public drug use. BDN, Sept. 16 Watch at 6:56
- Ballot position 09
Dawson Nevells
Wants a one-for-one syringe exchange rule restored and more regulation of providers. BDN, Sept. 17 Watch at 7:18
- Ballot position 10
Katherine Devine
Sees syringe exchanges as handouts that should be further restricted. Wants programs focused on accountability and recovery. Would put more opioid settlement money into mental health care such as Dorothea Dix, including sober housing stays of a week or more. BDN, Sept. 23BDN, Oct. 5 Watch at 8:19
- Ballot position 11
Jennifer McGinley Maskala
Would require syringe providers to label each needle and fine providers when littered syringes are traced to them. BDN, Sept. 24 Watch at 10:10
- Ballot position 12
John King
Supports well-run syringe programs with more accountability. Favors gradual per-person exchange limits over a strict one-for-one rule, and wants providers to patrol for litter. BDN, Sept. 29 Watch at 11:24