Augusta, Maine — Paul Vinsel, a doctor living in West Bath, called out Bobby Charles’ record and recent addiction press tour in a letter to the Bangor Daily News, warning that Charles’ comments on addiction and treatment demonstrate “a profound ignorance” about the disease and its causes and treatment. Dr. Vinsel also likened Charles’ rhetoric to former Gov. Paul LePage, whose approach to substance use disorder had devastating consequences for Maine. Apparently Charles’ stunt press tour didn’t land as well as he thought it would.

Bangor Daily News: Letter: Bobby Charles wrong about addiction recovery

April 17, 2026

• Hypocrisy was the word that came to mind when I learned of Bobby Charles’ recent visits to addiction recovery centers.

• As a doctor of emergency and addiction medicine, I believe candidate Charles’ comments on how he would handle substance use issues demonstrate a profound ignorance about addiction, its causes and treatment for it.

• His comments also are frightening reminders to me of former Gov. Paul LePage’s disparaging comments about persons struggling with substance use disorder and who refused to allow for distribution of naloxone for a period of time during which overdose deaths soared.

• While Charles’ comments regarding harm reduction in general and naloxone distribution specifically are generally contrary to sound public health principles, his comments about treatment are equally horrifying to me. In an interview with C-SPAN on July 31, he stated that methadone tends to be a perpetuation of addiction until someone dies.

• This would be a great surprise to the nearly 6,000 Mainers who are receiving this medication for addiction treatment. These patients are able to work, be with their families and live normal lives.

• Methadone has been the primary medication for addiction treatment for over 50 years. Along with buprenorphine, it has been a very effective treatment, complemented by counseling and most patients do not stay on the medication throughout their lifetime. It is important to realize that over two-thirds of people with a substance use disorder are in long-term recovery.

• Fatal overdoses in Maine are in decline for the fourth straight year. We don’t need to go backwards.