Maine Drug Overdose Epidemic: 378 Deaths in 2016

AUGUSTA, ME — A record 378 people died of drug overdoses in Maine in 2016, according to new state data released Thursday. That figure is a 39 percent increase over 2015.

Of the 378 deaths, 195 were caused by fentanyl, according to state Attorney General Janet Mills. Fentanyl is an extremely deadly synthetic opioid that can be up to 100 times more powerful than heroin.

“We are losing more than one person each day to a drug overdose,” said Attorney General Janet Mills in a statement. “We need to reach out to friends and neighbors and let them know that whatever is wrong in their lives, no drug is going to solve their problems, not for one second. They are only hurting themselves, their friends, family and community."

Heroin was blamed for 123 deaths. The data was compiled by the state medical examiner and Marcella Sorg of the University of Maine.

"We have to remove the stigma from addiction so that people will get help before it is too late and we have to provide more pathways to recovery," Mills said.

Maine law enforcement has been targeting opioid trafficking in recent months. On Monday, authorities announced the largest heroin bust in state history — the seizure of over 8 pounds of heroin and fentanyl worth nearly $2 million. Police said it was enough for more than 35,000 individual doses.

• Maine Heroin Bust Largest In State History: Police

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