U.S. state and territorial governments say the opioid crisis has cost them $630 billion since 2007 and that the cost could balloon to more than $2 trillion over the next two decades.
opioid epidemic
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine to launch ‘rapid response team’ to combat opioid crisis
The $3 million initiative would try to reach people with substance use disorder who are not in recovery programs.
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Posted inLocal & State, News
Mills administration to convene summit on responding to opioid crisis
Dr. Vivek Murthy, former U.S. surgeon general, will be the keynote speaker at Thursday’s virtual event, to be held less than a week after the state announced a surge in drug overdose deaths in the first quarter of this year.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Beckett Cypher, 21-year-old son of Melissa Etheridge, dies
Etheridge released a statement saying opioid addiction was behind Cypher’s death.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine had 380 drug overdose deaths last year, a 7% increase
The number was lower than the state’s peak of 417 overdose deaths in 2017, but it reversed a significant decline in 2018.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Overdose risk during pandemic is tragic reality for some families
Experts have warned that prolonged isolation and uncertainty is a bad combination for drug users and people in recovery, but it’s too early to tell if overdose deaths have increased.
Posted inEditorials, Opinion
Our View: Even amid the outbreak, people dealing with addiction are not alone
Stay-at-home orders have made it difficult for people with substance use disorder, but there is still help out there.
Posted inEditorials, Opinion
Our View: Don’t let companies off the hook for their role in opioid epidemic
An investigation by ProPublica found evidence that Walmart sent millions of doses of opioid painkillers to criminal doctors.
Posted inEditorials, Opinion
Our View: Don’t let companies off the hook for their role in opioid epidemic
ProPublica describes how the Justice Department stopped the prosecution of Walmart for filling suspicious prescriptions, in Maine and around the country.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Methadone restrictions relaxed during pandemic, but not for everyone
Some patients can’t get longer supplies, even though the federal government has eased restrictions for the drug used to treat opioid use disorder.