Portland, Maine – Recent statewide data reveals a positive trend with fewer drug overdose deaths in Maine during this year compared to the previous year. However, the concerning rise in fentanyl-related deaths is becoming more prevalent, overshadowing the decline in opioid-related deaths.
The data, sourced from the Maine Drug Data Hub website, a collaborative effort between state agencies, the governor’s office, and the University of Maine, provides a comprehensive overview of substance use disorders, including monthly overdose statistics.
From January to October of the current year, there have been a total of 480 drug overdose deaths statewide, a noticeable decrease from the 723 deaths reported during the same period in 2022. Despite this positive shift, the data indicates a disturbing trend in the prominence of the synthetic opioid fentanyl.
Of the 480 overdose deaths recorded, fentanyl alone was responsible for 373 deaths, accounting for 78% of the total fatalities. This represents a slight increase from the previous year’s 77% during the same timeframe. Moreover, the data highlights a rise in fentanyl being used in combination with other substances such as cocaine and xylazine.
In cases involving cocaine-related overdoses, fentanyl was present in 143 out of 173 deaths, indicating a 30% increase from the previous year. Similarly, fentanyl’s presence in xylazine-related deaths rose to 9% from 7% in 2022. While fentanyl continues to be used alongside heroin and methamphetamine, the percentages have remained consistent from 2022 to 2023.
Aside from the decline in overall overdose deaths, the data also shows a reduction in pharmaceutical opioid-related fatalities. The number of deaths attributed to pharmaceutical opioids dropped to 89, constituting 19% of all overdose deaths, down from 156 deaths (22%) reported in the same period in 2022. This shift in drug-related fatalities underscores the changing landscape of substance use disorders in Maine.