Last year, an estimated 77 percent of drug deaths in Maine were due to fentanyl. This fast-acting, potent synthetic is often mixed with other drugs, such as cocaine or methamphetamine, and is causing an alarming increase in overdoses in Maine and across the nation. We discuss the rise in fentanyl use and what is being done about it statewide.
Panelists:
Leslie Clark, executive director, Portland Recovery Community Center
Scott Pelletier, Commander, Division 1, Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, Portland
Seth Ritter, emergency medicine physician; medical director, Region 2, Maine Emergency Medical Services
VIP Callers:
Marcella Sorg, medical and forensic anthropologist; research professor, Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center, University of Maine
Kelli P., person in recovery
Aaron Frey, Maine Attorney General
Will Clark, person in recovery
Resources:
getmainenaloxone.org
a resource to get free naloxone (Narcan) and training to use it.
knowyouroptions.me
recovery resources. Can use website to find local options liaison and other recovery resources. There will be starting another website resource called treatment connection in September of this year.
mainedrugdata.org
a single resource for information about drug use, overdoses, and deaths in Maine.
