By Carol McCracken  (Post # 2,626)

Drug overdose deaths in Maine to date have already exceeded a total number for all of 2015 according to a press release issued by Attorney General Janet T. Mills yesterday.  So far there have been 286 deaths through September of 2016.  For all of last year, there were 272 drug overdose deaths in Maine.

“This dramatic increase is mainly due to illicitly manufactured (non-pharamaceutical) fentanyl and fentanyl analogs, although the number of deaths due to other drugs is also increase,” according to the same press release from Attorney General Mills.

“One person a day is dying from a drug overdose in Maine,” said Mills.  “I cannot stress how dangerous these drugs are.  My Office is working with law enforcement around the State to stop the trafficking of these drugs in Maine.  As we work to stem the supply we must also expand access to detox beds and long-term treatment so that people in the grips of addiction can find hope and live productive lives.  With a new legislature convening soon, we need an ‘all hands on deck’ approach to combat this epidemic in a smart, nonpartisan and comprehensive way.”