Rep. Anne Perry, a Democrat from Calais, is sponsoring a bill to make possession a civil offense, not a crime.
opioid epidemic
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland stands by strict rules for needle exchange despite warnings of higher risk
The city’s health and human services director says the program has maintained access to clean syringes without relaxing its exchange rules, but public health experts say the more restrictive approach can put people at risk during the pandemic.
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Posted inEditorials, Opinion
Our View: Portland City Council takes public business behind closed doors
Elected officials can meet in private only when they have a good reason. None is offered for an executive session on needle-exchange rules.
Posted inLocal & State, News
2020 will likely set new record for most drug overdose deaths in Maine
The 380 drug-related deaths in the first nine months of last year matches the total for all of 2019 and puts Maine on pace to surpass the previous high of 417, in 2017.
Posted inBusiness, Nation & World
Justice Department suing Walmart, alleges company helped fuel opioid crisis
The suit alleges the company unlawfully dispensed controlled substances through its pharmacies.
Posted inBusiness, Nation & World
Family behind OxyContin acknowledges its role in opioid crisis
Purdue Pharma’s marketing efforts have been blamed for contributing to an addiction and overdose crisis that has been linked to 470,000 deaths in the U.S. over the past two decades.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Portland city councilors hear support for creating safe drug injection site
No action was taken at Tuesday’s public hearing before the Health and Human Services and Public Safety Committee.
Posted inOp-eds, Opinion
Sagadahoc Sheriff Merry: Gideon a reliable advocate for Maine law enforcement
She has secured the resources to fight the opioid epidemic and helped protect retired first responders’ health benefits.
Posted inEditorials, Opinion
Our View: Opioid settlement, ODs show we’re still playing catchup with addiction
Years into a devastating drug epidemic, the country still isn’t doing enough to slow it down.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
Overdose deaths in Maine surged in first half of 2020
Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey says ‘the increased isolation of living through the pandemic’ is a contributing factor in the 27% increase over the second half of 2019.