By David Sharp, The Associated Press
AUGUSTA, Maine - Participants in a summit convened by Maine Gov. Paul LePage to address the state's drug epidemic have agreed to create a special unit at the state police intelligence center that's going to focus on drugs, and to set up three working groups focusing on law enforcement, education and treatment.
Public Safety Commissioner John Morris told reporters Wednesday the state police unit will receive participation from emergency services providers to quickly identify trends.
He said the state plans to commit a couple more Maine National Guard personnel to the four existing staffers who're already analyzing data at the intelligence clearinghouse.
Officials say there have been 105 overdose deaths in the first six months the year in Maine.
LePage participated in the closed-door session but did not attend a news conference afterward.