opioid epidemic Archives - Lewiston Sun Journal

Tentative opioid deal would provide $26 billion and a new way to regulate painkillers

by Meryl Kornfield and Lenny Bernstein July 20, 2021July 20, 2021

Opioid overdose deaths in the U.S. have claimed more than 500,000 lives since 1999, and Maine’s drug overdose deaths increased by 33% in 2020.

Health, Maine, News

Maine expanding opioid treatment during wave of overdose deaths

by Joe Lawlor July 15, 2021July 15, 2021

Gov. Janet Mills says at Maine’s third Opioid Response Summit that isolation caused by the pandemic and resulting mental health challenges contributed to more substance use.

Nation / World, Uncategorized

U.S. overdose deaths hit record 93,000 in pandemic last year

by MIKE STOBBE July 14, 2021July 14, 2021

‘COVID has greatly exacerbated the crisis,’ says a public health researcher who tracks overdose trends.

Maine, News

Drug overdose deaths continue to rise at record pace in Maine

by Randy Billings June 23, 2021June 24, 2021

The latest figures indicate that Mainers with substance use disorder continue to struggle with the effects of the pandemic, putting 2021 on pace to surpass the record deaths in 2020.

Nation / World

Opioids rip through U.S. workforce, with deaths at record level

by Katia Dmitrieva and Reade Pickert June 17, 2021June 17, 2021

Opioids are behind about three-fourths of the overdoses, according to Wednesday’s data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Maine, Maine Crime, News, Politics

Maine considers a new strategy in battle against opioid epidemic: decriminalization

by Megan Gray April 4, 2021April 3, 2021

Proposed legislation could make Maine the second state to stop arresting people for possessing small amounts of drugs such as opioids, and instead steer them toward treatment.

Maine, News

Drug overdose deaths remain high in latest monthly report

by Eric Russell March 25, 2021March 25, 2021

The Maine Attorney General’s Office report showed 45 confirmed or suspected deaths in February, down slightly from January but still above the monthly average in 2020, a record year.