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Maine’s Chief Justice Discusses Breast Cancer, Opioid Crisis

Maine’s Chief Justice Discusses Breast Cancer, Opioid Crisis

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


AUGUSTA, Maine (AP)   Maine’s chief justice used her annual address to lawmakers to divulge that she’s battled breast cancer.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Leigh Saufley said Tuesday that she was diagnosed last summer, thanks to an annual test. She said she had surgery and radiation and has emerged “out on the other side.”

She said it’s important for women over 40 to get annual mammograms, and she said there are programs available to defray the cost.

During her address, she also provided an update on efforts to put court records online, and proposed a “full wrap-around drug court” to deal with the opioid crisis.

The wrap-around court announcement received a standing ovation from lawmakers. Saufley said the pilot program would include addiction treatment, mental health services, job training, sober housing and other services.

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