Gordon Smith, executive vice president of the Maine Medical Association since 1993, will coordinate state efforts to combat an epidemic that persists in communities across the state.
opioid epidemic
Posted inBusiness
Oxycontin complicates Sackler legacy
The painkiller’s role in the deadly opioid crisis is bringing the Sacklers a new and unwanted kind of attention.
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Posted inNews, Politics
Some lawmakers pushing for Cabinet-level position to address opioid crisis
The Legislature will debate multiple proposals to create a specific position, and Gov. Janet Mills has said she plans to appoint an opioid czar as well.
Posted inNews
Medication for opioid use disorder Maine’s 2nd-most-prescribed drug
A data set now required by law shows that only a common blood pressure drug topped Suboxone, revealing the depth of the state’s opioid crisis, although short-term scripts can skew the figures.
Posted inNews
USM’s Muskie School joins others in effort to bring medication-assisted opioid treatment to jails
The group is competing for a grant that would pay to go statewide with the program, which is considered the ‘gold standard’ to help those with substance use disorder.
Posted inPolitics
Trump administration funding formula causes Maine to lose out on millions in federal opioid money
Because officials used older data, the state missed a key cutoff, and funding dropped precipitously.
Posted inLetters, sj-web
Opioid epidemic isn't over
Recently, U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin has been sending out flashy flyers suggesting that the opioid epidemic is over, that his efforts were responsible and that people should call his office to congratulate him. While he has been involved in a number of town hall type meetings and panels, along with other members of Maine’s congressional […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine drug deaths remain high in early 2018, with fentanyl on the rise
The number of people killed by drug overdoses in Maine during the first three months of the year fell slightly from last year, state authorities said Friday. Between January and March, 86 people died of overdoses, down from 89 such deaths during the same time period in 2017, according to the offices of the Maine […]
Posted inConnections, sj-web
Churches holding opioid epidemic presentation
NORWAY — The Universalist Churches of Norway, West Paris and South Paris will host a presentation on the opioid crisis in Maine from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 29, at the Norway church, 470 Main St. Brian Loring of Preble Street Resource Center and representatives from the Western Maine Addiction Recovery Initiative will share […]
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
Tackling the drug abuse epidemic
Fifteen years ago, I was diagnosed with depression. I have had days, even weeks, where just getting out of bed has been a struggle. Those moments come with shame, making it harder to look for help exactly when I needed it most. Fortunately, health care and love from family provide me with what I need […]