Download the entire PDF report: Maine Monthly Overdose Report for December 2024
Overview: Composite total of fatal and nonfatal overdoses
This report documents suspected and confirmed fatal and nonfatal drug overdoses in Maine during December 2024 as wellas for the period January 2023–December 2024 (Table 1). The total number of confirmed and suspected fatal overdoses during 2024 is 490, 19.1% lower than the total confirmed fatal overdoses for 2023, 606. The total number of nonfatal overdoses during 2024 is 8,045, 13.3% lower than the total reported nonfatal overdoses for 2023, 9,275. During December 2024, the proportion of fatal overdoses averaged 6.8% of total overdoses. Monthly proportions of 2024 fatalities fluctuatedfrom a low of 4.8% in August to a high of 7.2% in March. During 2024, fatal overdoses constituted 5.7% of all overdoses, lower than 2023 (6.1%).
Data derived from multiple statewide sources were compiled and deduplicated to calculate fatal and nonfatal overdosetotals (Table 1). These include nonfatal overdose incidents reported by hospital emergency departments (ED), nonfatal emergency medical service (EMS) responses without transport to the ED, overdose reversals reported by law enforcement in the absence of EMS, and overdose reversals reported by community members or agencies receiving state-supplied naloxone through the Maine Naloxone Distribution Initiative. There are also an unknown number of private overdose reversals that were not reported and an unknown number of community-reported reversals that may have overlapped with emergency responseby EMS or law enforcement. The total number of fatal overdoses in this report includes those that have been confirmed, as well asthose that are suspected but not yet confirmed for June, August, October, November, and December 2024 (see Figure 1).
The total number of suspected and confirmed fatal overdoses and reported nonfatal overdoses for December 2024, 649, isdisplayed in Table 1 near the bottom row. Of those 649, there were 44 (6.8%) confirmed and suspected fatal overdoses, 354 (54.5%) nonfatal emergency department visits, 190 (29.3%) nonfatal EMS responses not transported to the emergencydepartment, 49 (7.6%) reported community overdose reversals, and 12 (1.8%) law enforcement reversals in incidents that did not include EMS.
Table 1: Composite reported overdose totals, all drugs, January 2023-November 2024
| Fatal Overdoses | Emergency Department Nonfatal | EMS Not Transported to the ED Nonfatal | Reported Community Reversals Nonfatal | Law Enforcement Without EMS Nonfatal (estimated) | Total Overdoses | |
| Jan ’23 | 55 | 296 | 238 | 184 | 48 | 821 |
| Feb ’23 | 49 | 348 | 204 | 192 | 30 | 823 |
| Mar ’23 | 41 | 382 | 260 | 237 | 54 | 974 |
| Apr ’23 | 63 | 270 | 232 | 202 | 29 | 796 |
| May ’23 | 49 | 295 | 238 | 165 | 47 | 794 |
| Jun ’23 | 58 | 378 | 232 | 219 | 35 | 922 |
| Jul ’23 | 50 | 340 | 307 | 173 | 34 | 904 |
| Aug ’23 | 40 | 330 | 266 | 152 | 22 | 810 |
| Sep ’23 | 53 | 390 | 256 | 141 | 26 | 866 |
| Oct ’23 | 55 | 317 | 274 | 147 | 17 | 809 |
| Nov ’23 | 47 | 255 | 214 | 101 | 20 | 637 |
| Dec ’23 | 46 | 325 | 202 | 129 | 23 | 724 |
| 2023 Total | 606 | 3926 | 2921 | 2042 | 385 | 9880 |
| 2023 Total % | 6.1% | 39.7% | 29.6% | 20.7% | 3.9% | 100% |
| Jan ’24 | 43 | 269 | 226 | 139 | 26 | 703 |
| Feb ’24 | 43 | 305 | 242 | 136 | 28 | 754 |
| Mar ’24 | 59 | 379 | 233 | 119 | 27 | 817 |
| Apr ’24 | 43 | 253 | 205 | 190 | 14 | 705 |
| May ’24 | 39 | 311 | 257 | 165 | 24 | 796 |
| Jun ’24 | 42 | 344 | 232 | 202 | 12 | 832 |
| Jul ’24 | 38 | 293 | 235 | 166 | 23 | 755 |
| Aug ’24 | 32 | 289 | 215 | 119 | 10 | 665 |
| Sep ’24 | 34 | 318 | 199 | 114 | 6 | 671 |
| Oct ’24 | 34 | 301 | 198 | 86 | 17 | 636 |
| Nov ’24 | 39 | 260 | 177 | 58 | 18 | 552 |
| Dec ’24 | 44 | 354 | 190 | 49 | 12 | 649 |
| 2024 Total | 490 | 3676 | 2609 | 1543 | 217 | 8535 |
| 2024 Total % | 5.7% | 43.1% | 30.6% | 18.1% | 2.5% | 100% |
Law Enforcement Response to Fatal and Nonfatal Overdose Incidents
Due to the method used to deduplicate nonfatal overdose incidents to derive a composite number of overdoses for the month, the total activity of both law enforcement officials and EMS agencies is underrepresented in Table 1 because of the overlap between them. The process used to deduplicate overdoses begins by removing fatal overdoses from the emergency department and EMS overdose incidents. Then the number of patients transported to emergency departments by Maine EMS are removed from the EMS overdose incidents. Finally, EMS involvement and fatal overdose incidents are removed from law enforcement responses.
Table 2 shows the public safety response to fatal and nonfatal overdose events in January–December 2024 as well as January–December 2023. During 2023, law enforcement officers responded to a reported 1,617 incidents (564 fatal; 1,053 nonfatal), and Maine EMS responded to a reported 10,318 incidents (480 fatal; 9,838 nonfatal). During 2024, law enforcement officers responded to a reported 1,151 overdose incidents (446 fatal; 705 nonfatal), and Maine EMS responded to a reported 9,509 incidents (391 fatal; 9,118 nonfatal). The total number of overdoses responded to by Maine EMS in 2024 decreased 7.8% compared to 2023 while the total number of overdoses responded to by law enforcement decreased 28.8%.
Table 2. Fatal and nonfatal overdose emergency response count from law enforcement and Maine EMergency Medical Services, including overlapping cases
| Fatal overdose response Jan–Dec 2023 | Nonfatal overdose response Jan–Dec 2023 | Total overdose response Jan–Dec 2023 | Fatal overdose response Jan–Dec 2024 | Nonfatal overdose response Jan–Dec 2024 | Total Overdose Response Jan–Dec 2024 | |
| Maine EMS | 480 | 9838 | 10318 | 391 | 9118 | 9509 |
| Law Enforcement | 564 | 1053 | 1617 | 446 | 705 | 1151 |
County Distribution of Suspected Nonfatal Overdoses
Table 3 shows the frequency distribution of nonfatal overdoses to which EMS responded at the county level. Overdose reversal totals reported by community partners and emergency departments are not reported by county; only EMS case data include county frequencies. The December 2024 monthly totals in the far right column can be compared to the percentage of the census population on the far left, the percentage of nonfatal overdoses for the year in 2023, or in 2024. Caution must be exercised viewing single counties, especially for a single month, due to small numbers. These may fluctuate randomly, without reflecting any statistically significant trend.
Percentage totals for the year 2024 for most counties fall within 0 to 1 percentage points of the 2020 census distribution. Compared to the 2020 census proportion, Androscoggin County is 2 percentage points higher and Cumberland County is 3 percentage points higher and York County is 4 percentage points lower.
Table 3. County of EMS Incident among suspected and confirmed nonfatal overdoses
| % 2020 estimated Census population | Jan–Dec 2023 Est. N = 9838 | Jan–Dec 2024 Est. N = 9118 | Dec 2024 Est. N = 691 | ||||
| Androscoggin | 8% | 1009 | 10% | 913 | 10% | 64 | 9% |
| Aroostook | 5% | 485 | 5% | 488 | 5% | 28 | 4% |
| Cumberland | 22% | 2309 | 23% | 2309 | 25% | 201 | 29% |
| Franklin | 2% | 160 | 2% | 165 | 2% | 18 | 3% |
| Hancock | 4% | 276 | 3% | 241 | 3% | 14 | 2% |
| Kennebec | 9% | 963 | 10% | 907 | 10% | 54 | 8% |
| Knox | 3% | 327 | 3% | 262 | 3% | 24 | 3% |
| Lincoln | 3% | 227 | 2% | 171 | 2% | 19 | 3% |
| Oxford | 4% | 397 | 4% | 334 | 4% | 30 | 4% |
| Penobscot | 11% | 1351 | 14% | 1136 | 12% | 89 | 13% |
| Piscataquis | 1% | 114 | 1% | 101 | 1% | 7 | 1% |
| Sagadahoc | 3% | 151 | 2% | 152 | 2% | 8 | 1% |
| Somerset | 4% | 471 | 5% | 399 | 4% | 25 | 4% |
| Waldo | 3% | 220 | 2% | 197 | 2% | 12 | 2% |
| Washington | 2% | 215 | 2% | 225 | 2% | 15 | 2% |
| York | 16% | 1163 | 12% | 1118 | 12% | 83 | 12% |
December 2024
jan – Dec 2024
Age and Gender Distribution of Suspected Nonfatal Overdoses with EMS Response
Table 4 displays the age composition of individuals suspected of experiencing nonfatal overdoses involving EMS response in December 2024 and for the years 2024 and 2023. Overdose reversal totals reported by community partners and emergency departments are not categorized and reported by age; only EMS case data include monthly age frequencies. Age group totals can be compared to the 2020 census proportion in the far left column. Caution must be exercised as the small number of cases in each month is vulnerable to random fluctuation that may not reflect a significant statistical trend. The age distribution for both 2023 and 2024 year to date compared to the 2020 census proportion shows a disproportionately large impact of suspected nonfatal overdose victims with EMS involvement for those aged 25–54. This impact is illustrated by looking at the 25–54 year age groups, which constitutes 36% of the popultion in the 2020 census compared to 64% in the overdose population during 2023 and 61% in 2024. In 2024 there are 14 percentage points fewer overdose victims among those under the age of 18 compared to the percentage of the census population in that age group. Similarly, there were 3 percentage points fewer overdose victims among those aged 55–64, and 11 percentage points fewer overdose victims among those 65 and older compared to the percentages of the census population for those age groups.
Table 4. Reported age group among suspected nonfatal overdose victims involving EMS response
| % 2020 estimated Census population | Jan–Dec 2023 Est. N = 9775 | Jan-Dec 2024 Est. N = 9161 | Dec 2024 Est. N = 689 | ||||
| < 18 | 18% | 402 | 4% | 384 | 4% | 23 | 3% |
| 18–24 | 7% | 903 | 9% | 829 | 9% | 59 | 9% |
| 25–34 | 12% | 2085 | 21% | 1781 | 19% | 136 | 20% |
| 35–44 | 12% | 2603 | 27% | 2343 | 26% | 183 | 27% |
| 45–54 | 12% | 1522 | 16% | 1484 | 16% | 109 | 16% |
| 55–64 | 16% | 1317 | 13% | 1230 | 13% | 96 | 14% |
| > 64 | 23% | 944 | 10% | 1110 | 12% | 83 | 12% |
Table 5 displays the reported gender of individuals experiencing nonfatal overdoses involving EMS response in December 2024 and for the years 2024 and 2023. Overdose reversal totals reported by community partners and emergency departments are not categorized by gender; only EMS case data include monthly gender categories. Gender group totals can be compared to the 2020 census proportion by age group in the far left column or the January–December 2023 totals in the center column. When comparing the January–December 2024 with 2023, as well as the census population proportion, cautionmust be exercised as the small number of cases in each month is vulnerable to random fluctuation that may not reflect asignificant statistical trend. Males represent 49% of the 2020 estimated census population, 61% of the nonfatal overdose victims with EMS involvement in 2023, and 58% during 2024.
Table 5. Reported Gender among suspected nonfatal overdose victims involving ems response
| % 2020 estimated Census population | Jan–Dec 2023 Est. N = 9794 | Jan–Dec 2024 Est. N = 8809 | Dec 2024 Est. N = 665 | ||||
| Male | 49% | 5970 | 61% | 5122 | 58% | 387 | 58% |
| Female | 51% | 3798 | 39% | 3686 | 42% | 278 | 42% |
| Transgender | Not collected | 26 | 0.3% | 1 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
County Distribution of Suspected and Confirmed Fatal Overdoses
Table 6 shows the frequency distribution of fatal overdoses at the county level. The December 2024 monthly totals in the far right column can be compared either to the percentage of the census population in the far left column, the percentage of county fatal overdoses for 2023, or the 2024 percentages. Caution must be exercised when viewing single counties with small numbers for a single month. These may fluctuate randomly, without reflecting any significant statistical trend. The 2024 percentages for most counties fall within 0 to 1 percentage points of the 2020 census distribution. Compared to the 2020 census proportion, Aroostook County is 3 percentage points higher, Penobscot County is 2 percentage points higher, York County is 5 percentage points lower and Cumberland County is 3 percentage points lower.
Table 6. County of death among suspected and confirmed fatal overdoses
| % 2020 estimated Census population | Jan–Dec 2023 Est. N = 606 | Jan–Dec 2024 Est. N = 490 | Dec 2024 Est. N = 44 | ||||
| Androscoggin | 8% | 69 | 11% | 46 | 9% | 1 | 2% |
| Aroostook | 5% | 40 | 7% | 39 | 8% | 5 | 11% |
| Cumberland | 22% | 118 | 19% | 91 | 19% | 12 | 27% |
| Franklin | 2% | 6 | 1% | 6 | 1% | 1 | 2% |
| Hancock | 4% | 22 | 4% | 13 | 3% | 1 | 2% |
| Kennebec | 9% | 60 | 10% | 47 | 10% | 2 | 5% |
| Knox | 3% | 16 | 3% | 22 | 4% | 2 | 5% |
| Lincoln | 3% | 7 | 1% | 17 | 3% | 3 | 7% |
| Oxford | 4% | 25 | 4% | 20 | 4% | 1 | 2% |
| Penobscot | 11% | 91 | 15% | 65 | 13% | 9 | 20% |
| Piscataquis | 1% | 17 | 3% | 5 | 1% | 0 | 0% |
| Sagadahoc | 3% | 7 | 1% | 7 | 1% | 0 | 0% |
| Somerset | 4% | 29 | 5% | 22 | 4% | 2 | 5% |
| Waldo | 3% | 10 | 2% | 18 | 4% | 1 | 2% |
| Washington | 2% | 25 | 4% | 16 | 3% | 0 | 0% |
| York | 16% | 64 | 11% | 56 | 11% | 4 | 9% |
Fatal Overdoses November 2024
fatal overdoses jan-DEC 2024
Age and Sex Distribution of Fatal Overdose Victims
Table 7 displays the age and sex composition of the fatal overdose population for December 2024 and the years 2024 and 2023, compared to the 2020 estimated census population. When comparing the December 2024 data with 2023 as well as. the census population proportion, caution must be exercised as the small number of cases in each month is vulnerable to random fluctuation that may not reflect a significant statistical trend.
The cumulative proportion of males is lower in 2024 (66%) compared to 2023 (73%). The age distribution for 2024compared to the 2020 census proportion shows a disproportionately large impact of fatal overdoses in those aged 35–64, as was true in 2023. That group includes 40% of the 2020 estimated census population, compared to 75% in the fatal overdose population in 2023 and 74% during 2024. Compared to the census population, in 2024, there were 4 percentage points fewer fatal overdoses among those aged 18–24 and 14 percentage points fewer among those 65 and older compared to the census estimated population for those age groups.
There were, however, differences between the age structures of the nonfatal overdoses (Table 4) and the fatal overdoses. In 2024, the highest proportion of both fatal and nonfatal overdoses was among those aged 35–44 (26% among nonfatal and 29% among fatal). The second highest age group for nonfatal overdoses was 25–34 (19%), but 45–54 (25%) among fatal overdoses.
Table 7. Decedent Reported Age Group and Sex among suspected and confirmed fatal overdoses
| % 2020 estimated Census population | Jan–Dec 2023 Est. N = 606 | Jan–Dec 2024 Est. N = 490 | Dec 2024 Est. N = 44 | ||||
| Male | 49% | 440 | 73% | 321 | 66% | 29 | 66% |
| < 18 | 18% | 3 | 0% | 4 | 1% | 1 | 2% |
| 18–24 | 7% | 28 | 5% | 13 | 3% | 0 | 0% |
| 25–34 | 12% | 85 | 14% | 64 | 13% | 6 | 14% |
| 35–44 | 12% | 199 | 33% | 144 | 29% | 14 | 32% |
| 45–54 | 12% | 135 | 22% | 123 | 25% | 10 | 23% |
| 55–64 | 16% | 118 | 19% | 98 | 20% | 5 | 11% |
| > 64 | 23% | 38 | 6% | 44 | 9% | 8 | 18% |
Race, ethnicity, and other demographic indicators of decedents
Table 8 displays the reported race and ethnicity of confirmed and suspected fatal overdoses in December 2024, 2024, and 2023 compared to the 2020 estimated census population. Note that race and ethnicity are not finalized until the full death certificate is entered into Vital Records, and a small number of decedents’ records currently lack information about thesevariables. Out of 488 decedents for whom race was reported in 2024, 93% of the victims were identified as White, 4% asBlack/African American, and 2% as American Indian/Alaska Native. These are the nearly identical to the percentages in 2023. The non-White population is 2% higher among fatal overdoses than it is in the census population. Out of 481 decedents for whom Hispanic ethnicity status was reported, 2% were identified as Hispanic, slightly more (1%) than for 2023.
| A: Race | % 2020 Estimated Census Population | Jan–Dec 2023 Race N = 605 | Jan–Dec 2024 Race N = 488 | Dec 2024 Race Est. N = 44 | |||
| White alone | 94% | 554 | 92% | 452 | 93% | 43 | 98% |
| Black/African American alone | 2% | 25 | 4% | 18 | 4% | 1 | 2% |
| American Indian/Alaska Native alone | 1% | 12 | 2% | 9 | 2% | 0 | 0% |
| Other race and 2+ races combined | 3% | 14 | 2% | 9 | 2% | 0 | 0% |
| B: Ethnicity | % 2020 estimated Census population | Jan–Dec 2023 Ethnicity N = 589 | Jan–Dec 2024 Ethnicity N = 481 | Dec 2024 Ethnicity Est. N = 44 | |||
| Hispanic/Latinx | 2% | 7 | 1% | 10 | 2% | 0 | 0% |
military status and housing stability of fatal overdose victims
Out of the 490 cases for which military background was reported in 2024, 27 (6%) were identified as having a military background. Out of the 44 cases in December 2024 where military background was reported, 3 (7%) were identified as having a military background.
Of the 490 total suspected and confirmed fatal overdose cases year to date in 2024, undomiciled or transient housing status was reported for 67 (14%) victims. Among those 67, the largest proportions of undomiciled persons were found in Androscoggin County (16, 24%), Cumberland County (16, 24%) and Penobscot County (11, 16%). In December 2024, 5 fatal overdose victims (11%) were identified as undomiciled.
Basic incident patterns in fatal overdoses
Table 9 reports basic incident patterns for fatal overdoses. December 2024 can be compared to 2023 or 2024 as a whole. Caution must be exercised interpreting a single month of data as numbers may fluctuate randomly and not reflect a statistically significant trend. In addition, data totals may change slightly as suspected cases are confirmed or eliminated.
Both EMS and police responded together to most fatal overdoses (71%) in 2024. Law enforcement was more likely torespond to a scene alone (19%) than EMS (8%). The overwhelming majority (92%) of confirmed fatal drug overdoses were ruled as, or suspected of being, accidental manner of death.
Of the 490 confirmed or suspected fatal overdoses in 2024, 148 (30%) had a reported history of prior overdose.
Although most cases had bystanders or witnesses present at the scene by the time first responders arrived, the detailsabout who was present at the time of the overdose were frequently unclear. However, responding family and friends or otherbystanders administered naloxone for 65 (13%) of the 2024 fatal overdoses, the same as the proportion in 2023 (13%). Often,EMS and/or law enforcement administered naloxone in addition to bystanders or witnesses. During 2024, 26% of suspected and confirmed fatal overdose cases had naloxone administered at the scene by EMS, bystanders, and/or law enforcement. This rate is the same as 2023 (26%).
Of the 391 suspected or confirmed drug death cases with EMS involvement during 2024, 197 (50%) victims were alreadydeceased when EMS arrived. In the remaining 194 (50%) cases, resuscitation was attempted either at the scene or presumablyin the ambulance during transport to the emergency room. One case had an unreported response once EMS arrived. Of those194 who were still alive when EMS arrived, 68 (35%) were transported, and 126 (65%) did not survive to be transported.Thus, out of 391 ultimately fatal cases with EMS response, only 68 (17%) remained alive long enough to be transported but died during transport or at the emergency room. This outcome is likely due to a combination of the high number of cases withfentanyl as a cause of death and individuals using alone. Fentanyl acts more quickly than other opioids, and there is less timefor bystanders to find an overdose victim alive, administer naloxone, and call 911.
Table 9. Incident CHARACTERISTICS among suspected and confirmed fatal overdoses
| Jan–Dec 2023 Est. N = 606 | 2024 Jan–Dec Est. N = 490 | Dec 2024 Est. N = 44 | ||||
| EMS response alone | 36 | 6% | 41 | 8% | 6 | 14% |
| Law enforcement alone | 120 | 20% | 91 | 19% | 9 | 20% |
| EMS and law enforcement | 443 | 73% | 350 | 71% | 28 | 64% |
| Private transport to Emergency Dept. | 5 | 1% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
| Naloxone administration reported at the scene | 155 | 26% | 127 | 26% | 10 | 23% |
| Bystander only administered | 39 | 6% | 48 | 10% | 2 | 5% |
| Law enforcement only administered | 15 | 2% | 9 | 2% | 1 | 2% |
| EMS only administered | 43 | 7% | 42 | 9% | 4 | 9% |
| EMS and law enforcement administered | 10 | 2% | 2 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
| EMS and bystander administered | 30 | 5% | 12 | 2% | 3 | 7% |
| Law enforcement and bystander administered | 8 | 1% | 4 | 1% | 0 | 0% |
| EMS, bystander, and law enforcement administered | 4 | 1% | 1 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
| Naloxone administered by unspecified person | 3 | 0% | 2 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
| History of prior overdose | 205 | 34% | 148 | 30% | 12 | 27% |
Key drug categories and combinations causing overdose deaths
Table 10 displays the frequencies of the most prominent drug categories causing death among confirmed drug deaths. As expected, within the confirmed drug death cases so far in 2024, nonpharmaceutical fentanyl was the most frequent cause of death, mentioned on the death certificate of 324 (72%) victims.
Fentanyl is nearly always found in combination with multiple other drugs. Heroin involvement, declining rapidly in recentyears, was reported as a cause of death in 11 (2%) of 2024 deaths and 12 (2%) of 2023 deaths. Xylazine and nonpharmaceutical tramadol were identified as co-intoxicants with fentanyl for the first time in 2021. Among 452 confirmed deaths in 2024, there were 65 cases (14%) with xylazine listed in addition to fentanyl as a cause of death, and 1 case (<1%) with tramadol listed along with fentanyl.
Stimulants continue to increase as a cause of death, usually in combination with other drugs, particularly fentanyl. Cocaine-involved fatalities constituted 199 (44%) of confirmed cases so far in 2024, higher than 2023 (37%) and an increase from 29% in 2022. Fentanyl is mentioned as a cause in combination with cocaine in 155 cases, 78% of 2024 year-to-date cocaine cases. Methamphetamine was cited as a cause of death in 168 (37%) of the confirmed fatal overdoses so far in 2024, higher than in 2023 (33%); 127 (76%) of the methamphetamine deaths also involved fentanyl as a co-intoxicant cause of death. Cocaine and methamphetamine are named together on 48 (10%) death certificates in 2024, in most of those cases (37, 77%) as co-intoxicants of fentanyl.
| Cause of death (alone or in combination with other drugs) Sample size for confirmed cases only | Jan–Dec 2023 Est. N = 606 | Jan–Dec 2024 Est. N = 452 | Dec 2024 Est. N = 18 | |||
| Fentanyl or fentanyl analogs | 472 | 78% | 324 | 72% | 9 | 50% |
| Heroin | 12 | 2% | 11 | 2% | 0 | 0% |
| Cocaine | 226 | 37% | 199 | 44% | 7 | 39% |
| Methamphetamine | 199 | 33% | 168 | 37% | 11 | 61% |
| Pharmaceutical opioids** | 108 | 18% | 80 | 18% | 6 | 33% |
| Fentanyl and heroin | 12 | 2% | 11 | 2% | 0 | 0% |
| Fentanyl and cocaine | 192 | 32% | 155 | 34% | 5 | 28% |
| Fentanyl and methamphetamine | 163 | 27% | 127 | 28% | 5 | 28% |
| Fentanyl and xylazine | 60 | 10% | 65 | 14% | 4 | 22% |
| Fentanyl and tramadol | 3 | 0% | 1 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
Highlight of the Month
The december 2024 monthly overdose report
The completion and publication of the December 2024 Overdose Report brings to the end the 12 monthly reports for the year and allows us to look back on the entire year and to look ahead, as well. While these numbers are still preliminary until all the toxicology tests are completed, at this point it appears that there were 490 fatal overdoses in the state in 2024. While that is a tragically high number, it is 19% lower than fatal overdoses in 2023 which was also 16% lower than the deaths in 2022. The combined decline over the two years is 33%. The difference between 2023 and 2024 is 116 lives (606 v. 490). While fatal overdoses have declined nationally, the decline in Maine continues to be among the most significant reductions when compared to other states.
So, what accounts for the decline, both in Maine and nationally. Data analysts and researchers are quick to point out that we don’t really know and it will take time and research to reach any conclusions regarding cause and effect. But we can speculate on what impact each of our interventions has had. These activities, along with changes in the drug supply, I believe are most likely the most significant contributors to the decline in mortality.
- Naloxone. Our naloxone saturation strategy (Maine Naloxone Distribution Initiative) has resulted in over 600,000 doses of this life-saving medication being purchased with state and federal funds beginning in 2019. This medication has played a major role in over 10,000 overdose reversals in the past six years.
- Treatment. There are more opportunities for SUD treatment in the state, including both residential and outpatient treatment. While gaps still remain, there are over 5200 individuals receiving methadone treatment and between 16,000 and 20,000 receiving buprenorphine. It is now possible in most areas of the state to receive a same day appointment for out-patient SUD treatment, with some of these options being delivered via telemedicine. And on the residential side, there are more than 100 beds available each day for medically supervised withdrawal treatment (formerly called detox). And, most importantly, hundreds of residents of our jails and prison facilities are receiving medication and counseling for substance use disorder. There are also over 100 recovery residences in the state offering between 1000 and 2000 beds to individuals who have completed treatment and are in the early stages of recovery.
- Harm-Reduction. No one deserves to die because they are using drugs. Since adopting sound and evidence-based harm-reduction principles in 2019, syringe service providers have provided services and supplies to thousands of Mainers, meeting them “where they are” and helping them be as healthy as possible.
- OPTIONS Behavioral Health Liaisons. There are presently 32 behavioral health liaisons across the state, assisted by 9 recovery coaches. These dedicated individuals reach out to individuals who have survived an overdose or who are otherwise found to be struggling and in need of connections to harm reduction or treatment resources.
It is also likely that the drug supply has become less lethal over the past 18 months. Whether this is the result of a weaker form of fentanyl or the result of individuals using drugs less lethal than fentanyl, we do not know. But what we do know is that hundreds of people are alive today who likely would not be if the trends leading up to and including 2022 remained unchanged.
So, how do we keep this positive trend going? Certainly, this is no time to be complacent. We believe that continuing to invest in high priority projects across the four pillars of prevention, treatment, harm-reduction and recovery support is the best strategy going forward. While we will also look for innovative solutions, the previous experience demonstrates that if we continue to provide opportunities for treatment, along with sound and evidence-based harm reduction, thousands of Mainers struggling with substance use disorders will benefit. They deserve no less.
This is not the time to take a victory lap. Every week, fatal overdoses are occurring in our communities and families and communities are grieving. We need to continue to improve the social conditions that so frequently lead our adolescents down the wrong path. But, every day in Maine, hundreds of dedicated individuals are working hard to respond to this public health epidemic. A huge shout out to our harm-reduction workers, SUD treatment providers, recovery coaches, public safety officials and first responders. Lives are saved in the community, not in Augusta and Washington D.C. Thank you for being part of this effort.