Download the entire PDF report: Maine Monthly Overdose Report for November 2024
Overview: Composite total of fatal and nonfatal overdoses
This report documents suspected and confirmed fatal and nonfatal drug overdoses in Maine during November 2024 as well as for the period January 2023–November 2024 (Table 1). The total number of confirmed and suspected fatal overdoses January–November 2024 is 445, 20.5% lower than the total confirmed fatal overdoses for the same period in 2023, 560. The total number of nonfatal overdoses January–November 2024 is 7,441, 13.4% lower than the total reported nonfatal overdoses for the same period in 2023, 8596. During November 2024, the proportion of fatal overdoses averaged 7.2 of total overdoses. Monthly proportions of 2024 fatalities fluctuated from a low of 4.8% in May to a high of 7.2% in March and November. During the first 11 months of 2024, fatal overdoses constituted 5.6% of all overdoses, lower than January–November 2023 (6.1%).
Data derived from multiple statewide sources were compiled and deduplicated to calculate fatal and nonfatal overdose totals (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 response by EMS or law enforcement. The total number of fatal overdoses in this report includes those that have been confirmed, as well as those that are suspected but not yet confirmed for June, August, September, October, and November 2024 (see Figure 1).
The total number of suspected and confirmed fatal overdoses and reported nonfatal overdoses for November 2024, 553, is displayed in Table 1 near the bottom row. Of those 553, there were 40 (7.2%) confirmed and suspected fatal overdoses, 260 (47.0%) nonfatal emergency department visits, 177 (32.0%) nonfatal EMS responses not transported to the emergency department, 58 (10.5%) reported community overdose reversals, and 18 (3.3%) 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 | 44 | 305 | 242 | 136 | 28 | 754 |
| Mar ’24 | 59 | 379 | 233 | 119 | 27 | 817 |
| Apr ’24 | 43 | 253 | 205 | 190 | 14 | 705 |
| May ’24 | 38 | 311 | 257 | 165 | 24 | 795 |
| 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 | 319 | 199 | 114 | 6 | 672 |
| Oct ’24 | 33 | 301 | 198 | 86 | 17 | 635 |
| Nov ’24 | 40 | 260 | 177 | 58 | 18 | 553 |
| 2024 Total | 445 | 3323 | 2419 | 1494 | 205 | 7886 |
| 2024 Total % | 5.6% | 42.1% | 30.7% | 18.9% | 2.6% | 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–November 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 January–November 2024, law enforcement officers responded to a reported 1,069 overdose incidents (407 fatal; 662 nonfatal), and Maine EMS responded to a reported 8,782 incidents (355 fatal; 8,427 nonfatal).
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–Nov 2024 | Nonfatal overdose response Jan–Nov 2024 | Total Overdose Response Jan–Nov 2024 | |
| Maine EMS | 480 | 9838 | 10318 | 355 | 8427 | 8782 |
| Law Enforcement | 564 | 1053 | 1617 | 407 | 662 | 1069 |
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 November 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 the January–November 2024 year-to-date total. 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.
January–November 2024 percentage totals for most counties fall within 0 to 1 percentage points of the 2020 census distribution. Compared to the 2020 census proportion, Cumberland County is 3 percentage points higher, Androscoggin County is 2 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–Nov 2024 Est. N = 8427 | Nov 2024 Est. N = 618 | ||||
| Androscoggin | 8% | 1009 | 10% | 849 | 10% | 58 | 9% |
| Aroostook | 5% | 485 | 5% | 460 | 5% | 21 | 3% |
| Cumberland | 22% | 2309 | 23% | 2108 | 25% | 166 | 27% |
| Franklin | 2% | 160 | 2% | 147 | 2% | 13 | 2% |
| Hancock | 4% | 276 | 3% | 227 | 3% | 14 | 2% |
| Kennebec | 9% | 963 | 10% | 853 | 10% | 59 | 10% |
| Knox | 3% | 327 | 3% | 238 | 3% | 14 | 2% |
| Lincoln | 3% | 227 | 2% | 152 | 2% | 17 | 3% |
| Oxford | 4% | 397 | 4% | 304 | 4% | 24 | 4% |
| Penobscot | 11% | 1351 | 14% | 1047 | 12% | 67 | 11% |
| Piscataquis | 1% | 114 | 1% | 94 | 1% | 14 | 2% |
| Sagadahoc | 3% | 151 | 2% | 144 | 2% | 13 | 2% |
| Somerset | 4% | 471 | 5% | 374 | 4% | 25 | 4% |
| Waldo | 3% | 220 | 2% | 185 | 2% | 24 | 4% |
| Washington | 2% | 215 | 2% | 210 | 2% | 9 | 1% |
| York | 16% | 1163 | 12% | 1035 | 12% | 80 | 13% |
November 2024
jan – nov 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 November 2024, January–November 2024, as well as January–December 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 population in the 2020 census compared to 64% in the overdose population during 2023 and 60% during the first 11 months of 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-Nov 2024 Est. N = 8472 | Nov 2024 Est. N = 618 | ||||
| < 18 | 18% | 402 | 4% | 361 | 4% | 32 | 5% |
| 18-24 | 7% | 903 | 9% | 770 | 9% | 62 | 10% |
| 25-34 | 12% | 2085 | 21% | 1645 | 19% | 100 | 16% |
| 35-44 | 12% | 2603 | 27% | 2160 | 25% | 151 | 24% |
| 45-54 | 12% | 1522 | 16% | 1375 | 16% | 97 | 16% |
| 55-64 | 16% | 1317 | 13% | 1134 | 13% | 100 | 16% |
| > 64 | 23% | 944 | 10% | 1027 | 12% | 76 | 12% |
Table 5 displays the reported gender of individuals experiencing nonfatal overdoses involving EMS response in November 2024, January–November 2024, as well as January–December 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–November 2024 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. Males represent 49% of the 2020 estimated census population, 61% of the nonfatal overdose victims with EMS involvement in 2023, and 58% during January–November 2024.
Table 5. Reported Gender among suspected nonfatal overdose victims involving ems response
| % 2020 estimated Census population | Jan–Dec 2023 Est. N = 9794 | Jan–Nov 2024 Est. N = 8144 | Nov 2024 Est. N = 597 | ||||
| Male | 49% | 5970 | 61% | 4735 | 58% | 350 | 59% |
| Female | 51% | 3798 | 39% | 3408 | 42% | 247 | 41% |
| 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 November 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 January–November 2024 year-to-date 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 January–November 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, Androscoggin County and Penobscot County are 2 percentage points higher, York County is 5 percentage points lower and Cumberland County is 4 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–Nov 2024 Est. N = 445 | Nov 2024 Est. N = 40 | ||||
| Androscoggin | 8% | 69 | 11% | 45 | 10% | 7 | 18% |
| Aroostook | 5% | 40 | 7% | 34 | 8% | 4 | 10% |
| Cumberland | 22% | 118 | 19% | 79 | 18% | 7 | 18% |
| Franklin | 2% | 6 | 1% | 6 | 1% | 2 | 5% |
| Hancock | 4% | 22 | 4% | 12 | 3% | 1 | 3% |
| Kennebec | 9% | 60 | 10% | 45 | 10% | 3 | 8% |
| Knox | 3% | 16 | 3% | 19 | 4% | 1 | 3% |
| Lincoln | 3% | 7 | 1% | 14 | 3% | 1 | 3% |
| Oxford | 4% | 25 | 4% | 19 | 4% | 1 | 3% |
| Penobscot | 11% | 91 | 15% | 56 | 13% | 6 | 15% |
| Piscataquis | 1% | 17 | 3% | 5 | 1% | 1 | 3% |
| Sagadahoc | 3% | 7 | 1% | 7 | 2% | 0 | 0% |
| Somerset | 4% | 29 | 5% | 20 | 4% | 1 | 3% |
| Waldo | 3% | 10 | 2% | 18 | 4% | 3 | 8% |
| Washington | 2% | 25 | 4% | 15 | 3% | 0 | 0% |
| York | 16% | 64 | 11% | 51 | 11% | 2 | 5% |
Fatal Overdoses November 2024
fatal overdoses jan-nov 2024
Age and Sex Distribution of Fatal Overdose Victims
Table 7 displays the age and sex composition of the fatal overdose population for November 2024, January–November 2024, and January to December 2023, compared to the 2020 estimated census population. When comparing the November 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 January–November 2024 (65%) compared to January–December 2023 (73%).
The age distribution for 2024 compared 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 as well as 76% during January–November 2024. Compared to the census population, in 2024 year to date, there were 4 percentage points fewer fatal overdoses among those aged 18–24 and 15 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 year to date, the highest proportion of both fatal and nonfatal overdoses was among those aged 35–44 (25% 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–Nov 2024 Est. N = 445 | Nov 2024 Est. N = 40 | ||||
| Male | 49% | 440 | 73% | 288 | 65% | 28 | 70% |
| < 18 | 18% | 3 | 0% | 3 | 1% | 0 | 0% |
| 18-24 | 7% | 28 | 5% | 12 | 3% | 2 | 5% |
| 25-34 | 12% | 85 | 14% | 57 | 13% | 6 | 15% |
| 35-44 | 12% | 199 | 33% | 131 | 29% | 14 | 35% |
| 45-54 | 12% | 135 | 22% | 112 | 25% | 5 | 13% |
| 55-64 | 16% | 118 | 19% | 93 | 21% | 9 | 23% |
| > 64 | 23% | 38 | 6% | 37 | 8% | 4 | 10% |
Race, ethnicity, and other demographic indicators of decedents
Table 8 displays the reported race and ethnicity of confirmed and suspected fatal overdoses in November 2024, January–November 2024, and January–December 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 these variables. Out of 443 decedents for whom race was reported January–November 2024, 92% of the victims were identified as White, 4% as Black/African American, and 2% as American Indian/Alaska Native. These are the same percentages as 2023. The non-White population is 2% higher among fatal overdoses than it is in the census population. Out of 436 decedents for whom Hispanic ethnicity status was reported, 2% were identified as Hispanic, slightly more (1%) than for 2023.
Table 8. Decedent race (A) and ethnicity (B) among suspected and confirmed fatal overdoses
| A: Race | % 2020 Estimated Census Population | Jan–Dec 2023 Race N = 605 | Jan-Nov 2024 Race N = 443 | Nov 2024 Race N = 40 | |||
| White alone | 91% | 554 | 92% | 409 | 92% | 35 | 88% |
| Black/African American alone | 2% | 25 | 4% | 16 | 4% | 5 | 13% |
| 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–Nov 2024 Ethnicity N = 436 | Nov 2024 Ethnicity N = 40 | |||
| Hispanic/Latinx alone | 2% | 7 | 1% | 10 | 2% | 0 | 0% |
military status and housing stability of fatal overdose victims
Out of the 445 cases for which military background was reported January–November 2024, 24 (5%) were identified as having a military background. Out of the 40 cases in November 2024 where military background was reported, 4 (10%) was identified as having a military background.
Of the 445 total suspected and confirmed fatal overdose cases year to date in 2024, undomiciled or transient housing status was reported for 60 (13%) victims. Among those 60, the largest proportions of undomiciled persons were found in Androscoggin County (16, 27%), Cumberland County (14, 23%) and Penobscot County (9, 15%). In November 2024, 5 fatal overdose victims (13%) were identified as undomiciled.
Basic incident patterns in fatal overdoses
Table 9 reports basic incident patterns for fatal overdoses. November 2024 can be compared to 2023 as a whole or to January–November 2024 year to date totals. 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 (72%) in 2024 year to date. Law enforcement was more likely to respond to a scene alone (19%) than EMS (8%). The overwhelming majority (93%) of confirmed fatal drug overdoses were ruled as, or suspected of being, accidental manner of death.
Of the 445 confirmed or suspected fatal overdoses in 2024, 122 (31%) 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 details about who was present at the time of the overdose were frequently unclear. However, responding family and friends or other bystanders administered naloxone for 59 (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 355 suspected or confirmed drug death cases with EMS involvement during 2024, 184 (52%) victims were already deceased when EMS arrived. In the remaining 171 (48%) cases, resuscitation was attempted either at the scene or presumably in the ambulance during transport to the emergency room. One case had an unreported response once EMS arrived. Of those 171 who were still alive when EMS arrived, 63 (37%) were transported, and 109 (64%) did not survive to be transported. Thus, out of 355 ultimately fatal cases with EMS response, only 63 (18%) 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 with fentanyl as a cause of death and individuals using alone. Fentanyl acts more quickly than other opioids, and there is less time for 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–Nov Est. N = 445 | Nov 2024 Est. N = 40 | ||||
| EMS response alone | 36 | 6% | 36 | 8% | 1 | 3% |
| Law enforcement alone | 120 | 20% | 84 | 19% | 8 | 20% |
| EMS and law enforcement | 443 | 73% | 319 | 72% | 26 | 65% |
| Private transport to Emergency Dept. | 5 | 1% | 0 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
| Naloxone administration reported at the scene | 155 | 26% | 115 | 26% | 8 | 20% |
| Bystander only administered | 39 | 6% | 45 | 10% | 2 | 5% |
| Law enforcement only administered | 15 | 2% | 8 | 2% | 0 | 0% |
| EMS only administered | 43 | 7% | 38 | 9% | 5 | 13% |
| EMS and law enforcement administered | 10 | 2% | 1 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
| EMS and bystander administered | 30 | 5% | 9 | 2% | 0 | 0% |
| 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% | 138 | 31% | 11 | 28% |
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 284 (72%) victims.
Fentanyl is nearly always found in combination with multiple other drugs. Heroin involvement, declining rapidly in recent years, was reported as a cause of death in 11 (3%) of 2024 year-to-date 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 392 confirmed deaths in 2024, there were 55 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 170 (43%) 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 132 cases, 78% of 2024 year-to-date cocaine cases. Methamphetamine was cited as a cause of death in 146 (37%) of the confirmed fatal overdoses so far in 2024, higher than in 2023 (33%); 114 (78%) of the methamphetamine deaths also involved fentanyl as a co-intoxicant cause of death. Cocaine and methamphetamine are named together on 42 (9%) death certificates in 2024, in most of those cases (33, 79%) 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–Nov 2024 Est. N = 392 | Nov 2024 Est. N = 4 | |||
| Fentanyl or fentanyl analogs | 472 | 78% | 284 | 72% | 3 | 75% |
| Heroin | 12 | 2% | 11 | 3% | 0 | 0% |
| Cocaine | 226 | 37% | 170 | 43% | 0 | 0% |
| Methamphetamine | 199 | 33% | 146 | 37% | 2 | 50% |
| Pharmaceutical opioids** | 108 | 18% | 66 | 17% | 0 | 0% |
| Fentanyl and heroin | 12 | 2% | 11 | 3% | 0 | 0% |
| Fentanyl and cocaine | 192 | 32% | 132 | 34% | 0 | 0% |
| Fentanyl and methamphetamine | 163 | 27% | 114 | 29% | 2 | 50% |
| Fentanyl and xylazine | 60 | 10% | 55 | 14% | 0 | 0% |
| Fentanyl and tramadol | 3 | 0% | 1 | 0% | 0 | 0% |
Highlight of the Month
Changing the Narrative around addiction
By Gordon Smith, Director of Opioid Response, State of Maine
I have recently read Ryan Hampton’s third book, aptly titled, Fentanyl Nation. The book was published earlier this year (2024). Ryan spoke at Governor Mills’ 4th Annual Opioid Response Summit in Bangor in 2022 and will be speaking again at the 7th Annual Summit in 2025 at the Augusta Civic Center on Thursday, July 10, 2025. Ryan is a national addiction recovery advocate, author, media commentator and person in long-term recovery. As we complete our 2024 work, I have been giving a lot of thought to our successes and challenges, and I found a lot in Fentanyl Nation that spoke directly to our efforts. Ryan calls for a compassionate and evidence-based approach that addresses the core causes of addiction.
While 2024 has seen a significant decline in overdose deaths, one death is too many, and many lives could be saved if more resources were committed to going upstream and eliminating the conditions that cause individuals to use drugs in the first instance. Our children are using potentially lethal substances at younger ages than previously, and it is not unusual now to find preteens experimenting with drugs. Given how lethal the current supply is, we are, not surprisingly, seeing children who are not addicted to drugs die of accidental overdoses.
To change this tragic result, we need to go upstream and both identify and assist families and children struggling with conditions that can lead to early use of substances and also work to improve these social conditions. These so-called social determinants of health include poverty, unemployment, child abuse and neglect, food insecurity, unequal educational opportunities and, perhaps most of all, lack of adequate housing. Eliminating these conditions will, of course, take time, lots of resources, and political will.
As we work to improve these conditions, our current opioid response priorities in the areas of treatment, harm-reduction, and recovery support have to be robust. Despite the decline in overdoses, now is not the time to be complacent. Now is not the time to think we have the problem taken care of. Our response is very much a work in progress.
Ryan’s book does a great job of laying out the case for a comprehensive solution which focuses on the root causes of addiction impacting on the demand as opposed to the supply side.