© 2024 Maine Public | Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 22-3171529
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Scroll down to see all available streams.

How Maine Is Addressing Its Opioid Crisis

Overdose deaths in Maine from substance use rose in 2019, and 84 percent of those involved opioid use. A recent spate of deaths in Portland are a reminder that opioid use continues to be a pressing crisis. We will hear from Gordon Smith, the state's director of opioid response, about the state’s latest plans to address the opioid crisis, and we’ll talk about what recovery experts and law enforcement believe can help stem the epidemic.

Guests

Gordon Smith, state director of opioid response

Alane O’Connor, nurse practitioner, Maine General, focus on addiction medicine and opioid use disorders

Donna Lawlor, DNP, clinical director, Healthcare for the Homeless program, Greater Portland Health

Lisa Letourneau (by phone), senior advisor for delivery system change, Maine Department of Health and Human Services

Resources

Stay Connected
Jonathan was born in Monsey, New York. A field trip to Washington, DC when he was in 7th grade started him on his circuitous path to a career in public radio. The trip inspired a love of politics and led to his desire to one day call DC home. After graduating from Grinnell College, he worked on a couple of campaigns in Iowa (presidential and congressional) and moved to Washington, DC.