The number of overdose deaths in 2017 increased more in Maine than in almost any other U.S. state, and more than in any other state in New England.
According to new preliminary numbers from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of overdose deaths in Maine increased almost 11 percent from 2016 to 2017, from 367 to 407.
The CDC notes these numbers are likely a little low. The 11 percent hike represents an improvement over 2016 when the Maine Attorney General's office reported that overdose deaths had increased by nearly 40 percent.
Nationally, the number of overdose deaths increased 6.6 percent.
Vermont, Rhode Island and Massachusetts saw decreases in overdose deaths. Connecticut had the next-highest increase at 7.6 percent.
This piece was updated to reflect that Maine had the highest increase in number of overdose deaths. A previous version stated that it had the highest number of deaths.
