HANCOCK COUNTY, Maine — Recovery advocates in Hancock County are calling on county leaders to start using opioid settlement funds to restore essential services—especially transportation programs that help people get to recovery-related appointments.

One of those advocates is Courtney Meade, who knows firsthand how important access to treatment can be. Meade lost a loved one to addiction and says the lack of transportation was a major barrier in getting them help.

“Transportation and lack of access to treatment were the biggest reasons why she ended up passing away,” Meade said.

Until recently, the nonprofit Downeast Community Partners offered transportation services in Hancock and Washington counties, helping people get to medical and recovery appointments. But that program is ending a

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