Illicit drug users who are certain that fentanyl is mixed into the heroin they consume are much more likely to take precautions that reduce their chances of overdosing, researchers reported Wednesday in a small study. The survey examined the use of fentanyl test strips by 125 injection drug users in Greensboro, North Carolina, over a […]
overdoses
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Overdose deaths in Maine averaged nearly one per day during first half of 2018
Drug overdoses continued to claim nearly one life per day in Maine during the first six months of 2018 despite intensive efforts – from the State House to sober houses – to slow the opioid crisis. There were 180 overdose deaths in Maine through June 30, down just slightly from the 185 drug-related deaths reported […]
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Posted inFranklin, Lewiston-Auburn
Franklin County sheriff: Spike in overdoses alarming
FARMINGTON — Franklin County Sheriff Scott Nichols Sr. issued a public health and safety announcement this week, after deputies responded to three drug overdoses. Two overdoses occurred Tuesday and one on Thursday in New Sharon, Chesterville and Strong. All three people were revived through medical intervention, including the use of Narcan, Nichols said. Earlier this year, police […]
Posted inMaine
Nine overdoses are reported in 4 counties in a single night; police warn of bad heroin
Maine law enforcement officials are warning of bad batches of heroin after nine overdoses in four counties were reported Friday night. Police are assuming the heroin was laced with fentanyl, which is far more powerful than heroin, The Associated Press reported. The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department posted a warning on its Facebook page urging people […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine emergency room visits for opioid overdoses jumped 34 percent in 2017
Emergency department visits for suspected opioid overdoses increased by 34 percent in Maine from 2016 to 2017, during a time when drug overdose deaths in the state reached an all-time high. At the same time, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Rhode Island all reported decreases in emergency department visits for opioid overdoses, making Maine the only […]
Posted inMaine
Portland police deal with 5 overdoses in 24-hour period
PORTLAND — Police in Portland dealt with five overdoses in a 24-hour period, and credit Naloxone with preventing some of them from being fatal. In two instances, Naloxone was administered before police and emergency personnel arrived on the scene. Assistant Police Chief Vern Malloch said the increased availability and use of Naloxone to reverse the […]
Posted inMaine
Surge in heroin overdoses spurs Portland to try new treatment program
PORTLAND — Portland first responders received a surge of heroin overdose calls over the weekend, prompting city officials to draw attention to existing treatment resources and continue a call for a new program to divert people arrested straight to a treatment program. During a media event Wednesday afternoon, Portland Mayor Michael Brennan said the city […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Fentanyl-laced heroin becoming a factor in overdoses
BRUNSWICK — During one 24-hour period last week, the Eastern Maine Medical Center emergency department treated five patients who had overdosed on drugs. Dr. Jack Nicolet, a physician who works in EMMC’s emergency room, suspects they had all taken too much heroin, and likely heroin laced with the painkiller fentanyl, an opioid 30 times more […]