Portland Interim Police Chief F. Heath Gorham at a Press Conference at Police Headquarters on Middle Street Last Year.

The Portland Police Department responded to 56 drug overdose calls (six fatal) in January of 2023, 11 more than a year ago and 34 more (22) than in 2021.  Narcan, an overdose reversal drug, was administered 38 of the 56 cases and was also issued in two of the six fatal cases according to a press release issued by the Portland Police Department this afternoon.

The Portland Police Department continues to work with its state and federal law enforcement partners in rooting out drug trafficking in our city.  In 2022, the agencies rmoved approximately 28 ounces of methamphetamine, 22 ounces of cocaine products, 1.5 ounces of heroin, 45 ounces of fentanyl and over 1,000 various prescription  pills from Portland streets.  Enough to kill over 600,000 people.

“Our department continues to work with all agencies in an effort to reduce the amount of drugs on our streets,” said Interim Police Chief Heath Gorham.  “Fentanyl is a drug that can be fatal at micrograms and our agencies were able to seize almost three pounds off the streets last year.”