Download the entire PDF report here: Maine Monthly Overdose Report for October 2021
*Note: The timing of the monthly overdose report has been substantially delayed during the last several months due to pandemic-related issues. The toxicology reports are currently returning to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in as much as 6-8 weeks following death; this is 3 to 4 times longer than the prepandemic turn around time. For more information see the full report.
The monthly overdose report, funded jointly by the Maine Office of the Attorney General and the Office of Behavioral Health, provides an overview of statistics regarding suspected and confirmed fatal and nonfatal drug overdoses in Maine during each month. Data for the report is collected at the Office of Chief Medical Examiner and as part of the Maine Naloxone Distribution Initiative. Year-to-date numbers will be updated with each new monthly report, as cases are finalized, and their overdose status is confirmed or ruled out. The totals are expected to shift as this evolution occurs. In addition, due to the smaller sample size in any given month, totals are expected to fluctuate due to the effects of random variation.
Whereas the overall number of overdose deaths is a critical indicator of individual and societal stress, this metric itself can be quite resistant to public policy interventions due to its complexity. Overdose fatalities occur because of multiple unique and interacting factors such as underlying medical conditions and drug lethality. For that reason, this monthly report will develop ways to monitor components that can be directly affected by specific public health education and harm reduction interventions. For example, reports will be given on the number of decedents that had access to naloxone and the number who were alone while using.
Number of suspected and confirmed fatal overdoses
Fatal Drug Overdoses in Maine October 2021
Fatal Drug Overdoses in Maine January – October 2021
The October 2021 total of 60 fatal drug overdoses consists of 0 confirmed drug deaths and 60 suspected drug deaths. The cumulative January – October 2021 total is 515. The graph below shows the considerable monthly fluctuation since January 2020. Although the 2020 average is 42, the range extends from 33 to 53. The average so far for 2021 is 51, and the range is 41 to 60. For more information regarding definitions of fatal overdoses, including data collected and case completion timelines see the full report.
*Note: The timing of the monthly overdose report has been substantially delayed during the last several months due to pandemic-related issues. The toxicology reports are currently returning to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in as much as 6-8 weeks following death; this is 3 to 4 times longer than the prepandemic turn around time. For more information see the full report.
Comprehensive total of fatal and nonfatal overdoses
The month of October included the greatest number of fatal overdoses in 2021, but the increase has not been steady or consistent. Nonfatal overdoses for October are down slightly from September, but still greater than the beginning of the year. During October, there were an estimated 870 fatal and nonfatal drug overdoses statewide, of which 60 (7%) were suspected and confirmed fatal overdoses. The remaining 810 (93%) were nonfatal overdoses: 354 (41%) emergency department visits; 246 (28%) EMS patents who were not transported to the emergency room, 208 (24%) reversals reported by community members to the Maine Naloxone Distribution Initiative, and an estimated 2 (<1%) law enforcement reversals without EMS present. The minimum total of reported nonfatal overdose incidents for January – October 2021 was 7,847 which was compiled by deduplicating data derived from multiple statewide sources. There were also an unknown number of nonfatal overdoses in which 911 was not called and no reversal report was provided to the Maine Naloxone Distribution Initiative.
| Fatal Overdoses | Emergency Department Nonfatal | EMS Not Transported Nonfatal | Reported Community Reversals Nonfatal | Law Enforcement Without EMS Nonfatal (estimated) | Total Overdoses | |
| January | 54 | 263 | 164 | 127 | 0 | 608 |
| February | 41 | 265 | 118 | 100 | 0 | 524 |
| March | 58 | 324 | 172 | 156 | 2 | 712 |
| April | 46 | 401 | 190 | 136 | 0 | 773 |
| May | 48 | 325 | 163 | 100 | 1 | 637 |
| June | 54 | 404 | 223 | 189 | 0 | 870 |
| July | 46 | 465 | 225 | 167 | 0 | 903 |
| August | 50 | 419 | 232 | 222 | 3 | 926 |
| September | 58 | 454 | 276 | 276 | 2 | 1,024 |
| October | 60 | 354 | 246 | 208 | 2 | 870 |
| Total | 515 | 3,674 | 1,967 | 1,681 | 10 | 7,847 |
| Total % | 7% | 47% | 25% | 21% | <1% | 100% |
Distribution of drug deaths by Maine county
The following table shows the frequency distribution of deaths at the county level. The October 2021 totals can be compared either to the percent of the census population on the far left or the percent of all Maine drug deaths for 2019, 2020, and January-October 2021. Caution must be exercised with these small numbers. They are likely to fluctuate randomly, without any significant statistical meaning.
The cumulative January-October 2021 percentages of deaths in many counties fall within plus or minus 0%-1% of the 2019 census distribution, including Aroostook, Franklin, Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Piscataquis, Somerset, and Waldo. Counties that are 2% or more higher than the census proportions include Androscoggin (+4%), Kennebec (+3%), Penobscot (+4%), and Washington (+2%). Counties that are 2% or more lower than the census proportion include Cumberland (-3%), Sagadahoc (-2%), and York (-3%).
| County | Percent of 2019 Census Population | Jan-Dec 2019 N=380 | Jan-Dec 2020 N=504 | Oct 2021 Est. N=60 | Cumulative Jan-Oct 2021 Est. N=515 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Androscoggin | 8% | 33…….(9%) | 52.(10%) | 10…(17%) | 64…..(12%) |
| Aroostook | 5% | 14…….(4%) | 17…(3%) | 4…..(7%) | 25……(5%) |
| Cumberland | 22% | 100…..(26%) | 97.(19%) | 13..(22%) | 95….(19%) |
| Franklin | 2% | 5……..(1%) | 8…(2%) | 0….(0%) | 6…….(1%) |
| Hancock | 4% | 9…….(2%) | 13…(3%) | 2….(3%) | 19……(4%) |
| Kennebec | 9% | 42……(11%) | 49.(10%) | 5….(8%) | 56….(11%) |
| Knox | 3% | 7…….(2%) | 16…(3%) | 0….(0%) | 10……(2%) |
| Lincoln | 3% | 11…….(3%) | 9…(2%) | 0….(0%) | 15……(3%) |
| Oxford | 4% | 9…….(2%) | 15…(3%) | 3….(5%) | 20……(4%) |
| Penobscot | 11% | 53…..(14%) | 94.(19%) | 11..(18%) | 79…..(15%) |
| Piscataquis | 1% | 3…….(1%) | 10…(2%) | 0….(0%) | 9……(2%) |
| Sagadahoc | 3% | 8……(2%) | 8….(1%) | 1….(2%) | 6……(1%) |
| Somerset | 4% | 16……(4%) | 13…(3%) | 4….(7%) | 18…..(4%) |
| Waldo | 3% | 3…….(1%) | 9…(2%) | 0….(0%) | 14…..(3%) |
| Washington | 2% | 10……(3%) | 20..(4%) | 0….(0%) | 20…..(4%) |
| York | 15% | 57….(15%) | 74.(15%) | 6..(10%) | 59….(12%) |
Race, ethnicity, and other demographic indicators of decedents
During January – October of 2021, out of 515 confirmed and suspected fatal overdoses for which race was reported, 478 (93%) of the victims were identified as White, 19 (4%) as Black or African American, and 11 (2%) as American Indian/Alaska Native. Out of the 506 fatal overdoses for whom ethnicity was reported, 500 (97%) were reported as not Hispanic, and 6 (1%) were identified as Hispanic. Out of the 515 cases, 33 (6%) were identified as having a military background. Prior overdose history was reported for 171 (33%) of the victims. Transient housing status was reported for 49 (10%) of the victims.
| Demographic Indicator | Number of decedents N=515 | Percent of decedents |
|---|---|---|
| Race and Ethnicity | ||
| White | 478 | 93% |
| Black or African American | 19 | 4% |
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 11 | 2% |
| Not Hispanic | 500 | 97% |
| Hispanic | 6 | 1% |
| Military Background | 33 | 6% |
| Prior Overdose History | 171 | 33% |
| Person Experiencing Homelessness | 49 | 10% |
Age and sex composition of decedents
The following table displays the age and sex composition* of the monthly fatal overdose population. The cumulative proportion of males has stayed roughly the same since 2019. In the first ten months of 2021, it was 360 (70%), which is slightly lower than the 71% level in 2020 and slightly higher than the same as the level in 2019 (68%). In October it increased to 73%. The cumulative age distribution in January – October 2021 compared to 2020 and 2019 shows increasingly more decedents in older categories. The percentage of those 18-39 decreased overall by 5%. The percentage of those 40-59 rose by 3%, and the percentage of those over 60 rose 2%. There has been 1 decedent under 18 in 2021.
| Jan-Dec 2019 N=380 | Jan-Dec 2020 N=504 | Cumulative Jan-Oct 2021 Est. N=515 | October 2021 Est. N=60 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent Males | 258..(68%) | 357…(71%) | 360.(70%) | 44…(73%) |
| Percent under 18 | 0….(0%) | 2…(<1%) | 1..(<1%) | 0…..(0%) |
| Percent 18-39 | 171..(45%) | 213..(42%) | 208.(40%) | 26…(43%) |
| Percent 40-59 | 175..(46%) | 235..(47%) | 251.(49%) | 30…(50%) |
| Percent 60+ | 33….(9%) | 54…(11%) | 55..(11%) | 4…..(7%) |
Basic incident patterns in fatal overdoses
The following table highlights some event characteristics among suspected and confirmed overdoses. Roughly similar to 2020, during January – October of 2021, both EMS and police responded to most fatal overdoses, 77%. Law enforcement was more likely to respond to a scene alone (17%) than EMS (4%). The overwhelming majority (95%) of drug overdoses were ruled as accidental manner of death.
Based on the death investigation records, during January – October of 2021, naloxone was administered to 36% of the victims at the scene or in the ambulance, whether by EMS, bystanders, or law enforcement. This is higher than the 33% reported as administered by EMS, bystanders, or law enforcement at the scene in 2020 and considerably higher than the 28% found in the toxicology reports for 2020 fatal overdose victims. This may be due to the greater availability of police trained to administer it through programs like the Attorney General’s Naloxone Distribution Initiative or ODMAP. It may also be due to the greater availability in the community due to the Maine Naloxone Distribution Initiative. Although most cases had bystanders present at the scene when first responders arrived, the details about who may have been present at the time of the overdose were usually unclear. However, bystanders, including family and friends, administered naloxone during 11% of the fatal overdoses, often in addition to EMS and/or law enforcement. The 2020 drug death report documents only 4% of victims who had received bystander-administered naloxone.
Based on 419 suspected and confirmed drug death cases with EMS records during January – September of 2021, 200 (48%) of victims were already deceased when EMS arrived. Of the remaining 219 (52%), resuscitation was attempted either at the scene or in the ambulance during transport to the emergency room. Of the 219 cases who were still alive when EMS arrived, 62 were transported, and 157 did not survive to be transported. Thus, out of 419 fatal cases with EMS response, only 62 (15%) remained alive long enough to be transported, but died during transport or at the emergency room.
| Jan-Dec 2020 N=504 | Cumulative Jan-Oct 2021 Est. N=515 | October 2021 Est. N=60 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public safety response | |||
| ……EMS alone | 28…(6%) | 21….(4%) | 1……(2%) |
| ……Law enforcement alone | 107.(21%) | 89..(17%) | 11….(18%) |
| ……EMS and law enforcement | 365.(72%) | 398..(78%) | 46…(77%) |
| Manner of death (suspected or confirmed) | |||
| ……Accident | 457.(91%) | 490..(95%) | 55..(92%) |
| ……Suicide | 33…(7%) | 19….(4%) | 5…..(8%) |
| ……Undetermined | 14…(2%) | 6….(1%) | 0…..(0%) |
| Naloxone administration | |||
| Naloxone administration at the scene and/or (presumably) in ambulance during transport to emergency room | 127.(33%) | 185..(36%) | 16..(27%) |
| Naloxone administration reported at the scene | 83.(22%) | 156..(30%) | 14..(23%) |
| ……Bystander only | 11…(2%) | 29….(6%) | 2….(3%) |
| ……Law enforcement only | 8…(2%) | 17….(3%) | 0….(0%) |
| ……EMS only | 55..(11%) | 70..(14%) | 9..(15%) |
| ……EMS and law enforcement | 4…(1%) | 18….(4%) | 1….(2%) |
| ……EMS and bystander | 8..(2%) | 16….(3%) | 2….(3%) |
| ……Law enforcement and bystander | 0..(0%) | 5…..(1%) | 0….(0%) |
| ……EMS, bystander, and law enforcement | –……. | 1..(<1%) | 0….(0%) |
Key drug categories and combinations causing overdose deaths
The following table displays the overall pattern of the most prominent drug categories in confirmed drug deaths. As expected, nonpharmaceutical fentanyl was the most frequent cause of death mentioned on the death certificate so far for 2021 at 336 (76%), 9% higher than in 2020 (67%).
Fentanyl is nearly always found in combination with multiple other drugs. Illicit stimulants have been increasingly mentioned as co-intoxicants of fentanyl during the past several years. Heroin involvement, declining each year, was reported as a cause in 4% of 2021 deaths, compared to 11% last year. Methamphetamine was cited as a cause in 25% of the overdoses, which is 5% more than 2020. Cocaine-involved fatalities January – October constituted 26% of cases, slightly more than the 23% in 2020. Fentanyl is found in combination with cocaine in 21% of 2021 cases, and in combination with methamphetamine in 19%. Xylazine and nonpharmaceutical tramadol were identified as co-intoxicants with fentanyl for the first time in 2021. Among 441 confirmed deaths caused by fentanyl from January – October, the number and percent of cases with xylazine listed as an additional cause in fentanyl deaths is 41 (9%) of confirmed overdose deaths, and 19 (4%) with tramadol listed as one of the causes of death.
| Cause of death (alone or in combination with other drugs) Sample size for complete cases only | Jan-Dec 2020 N=504 | Cumulative Jan-Oct 2021 N=441 | October 2021 N=0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpharmaceutical opioids | |||
| ……Fentanyl or fentanyl analogs | 336.(67%) | 336..(76%) | 0..(0%) |
| ……Heroin | 57..(11%) | 19….(4%) | 0..(0%) |
| Nonpharmaceutical Stimulants | |||
| ……Cocaine | 118.(23%) | 113..(26%) | 0..(0%) |
| ……Methamphetamine/amphetamine | 99.(20%) | 111..(25%) | 0..(0%) |
| Pharmaceutical opioids** | 118.(23%) | 93..(21%) | 0..(0%) |
| Key combinations | |||
| ……Fentanyl and heroin | 47…(9%) | 18….(4%) | 0..(0%) |
| ……Fentanyl and cocaine | 97.(19%) | 92..(21%) | 0..(0%) |
| ……Fentanyl and methamphetamine/amphetamine | 70.(14%) | 84..(19%) | 0..(0%) |
| ……Fentanyl and xylazine | 0…(0%) | 41….(9%) | 0..(0%) |
| ……Fentanyl and tramadol | 0…(0%) | 19….(4%) | 0..(0%) |
Highlight of the month regarding substance use disorder public policy response
Recovery Support Navigator (Washington County)
The New England Regional Judicial Opioid Initiative (NEJOI), a collaboration of the six state Supreme Court justices in the region, has awarded a one-year grant to support the hiring of a recovery support navigator to be available in the courts in Washington County to individuals who are before the courts with a substance use disorder. The navigator has been hired by the Aroostook Mental Health Center (AMHC) and began training on November 29. NEJOI is supporting one navigator in each of the New England states. In Maine, Washington County was chosen for the pilot because of its high incidence of fatal overdoses. The purpose of the grant is to add resources to the communities in New England hardest hit by SUD fatalities by providing a navigator to help connect individuals with community resources. The partnership will consist of the local court, a treatment provider (AMHC) and the National Center for State Courts.
The duties and responsibilities of the navigator include the following:
- Provide non-clinical services to engage, educate and support people with substance use disorders for individuals who are court involved
- Assist with identifying and accessing treatment and recovery resources in the community, including but not limited to prescribers for medications for opioid use disorder and psychiatric medications
- Help individuals develop and clarify personal goals and objectives around treatment and recovery from SUD
- Assist with health insurance enrollment and adjustments
- Serve as a point of contact for care coordination with the client, justice agencies, medical and behavioral health providers, and other agencies and supports as indicated
- Provide overdose prevention and access to naloxone distribution
- Connect potential eligible individuals to housing and transportation resources, as appropriate
An Advisory Committee is being established to advise the project. As the pilot project concludes in a year, Wayne State University will conduct an evaluation for the NERJOI.
For more information regarding the State of Maine’s response to the drug crisis in Maine see the Leadership section of the Maine Drug Data Hub.