Maine Gov Threatens to Call in National Guard to Fight Heroin Epidemic

"You either work with me and give me some agents, or I will call the Guard up," governor told lawmakers

Associated Press - November 7, 2015

Maine’s governor is threatening to call up the National Guard to fight an epidemic of heroin and other drugs if lawmakers don’t hire more agents.

Gov. Paul LePage made a surprise appearance in the Legislature on Thursday, telling panelists on the Appropriations Committee that there’s a “dire need” for a more robust response. He first discussed a potential role for the National Guard over the summer in a radio interview but he hasn’t said how personnel might be used.

“You either work with me and give me some agents, or I will call the Guard up,” he said.

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