Please go to the Portland Press Herald to read the full article. 

Jessica Pollard, who has been teaching at the Yale University School of Medicine, returns to her native state to lead an office that plays a key role in responding to the opioid crisis.

By: Eric Russell, Staff Writer

~~Excerpt

A Maine native who spent the last six years as a psychiatry professor at the Yale University School of Medicine has been named director of Maine’s Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services.

Jessica Pollard began her new job Monday, according to a news release from the Department of Health and Human Services. She replaces Sheldon Wheeler, who was appointed by former Gov. Paul LePage in 2014 and led the office as the state dealt with a ballooning opioid crisis over the past several years. Wheeler was reassigned to DHHS’ Office of Family Independence.