opioids

Published
August 27, 2023

As opioid settlement funds reach Maine, debate arises over how to use them

A nationwide coalition urges support for community-based organizations while some municipalities already plan to expand existing programs.
Published
May 30, 2023

Ruling clears way for Purdue Pharma to settle opioid claims, protects Sacklers from lawsuits

The Sackler family will contribute $5.5 billion to $6 billion to individual victims of the opioid crisis and their survivors.
Published
May 21, 2023

There’s medicine to quiet opioid cravings, but getting it can be hard

A Harvard study found Black and Hispanic patients were less likely to receive prescriptions for naloxone, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses.
Published
April 17, 2023

Overdose deaths of older Americans quadrupled in past 20 years

Older adults are often prescribed opioids to help them cope with chronic pain or recover from a surgical procedure.
Published
March 20, 2023

With overdoses climbing, states look at harsher fentanyl penalties

Imposing longer prison sentences for possessing smaller amounts of drugs represents a shift in states that in recent years have rolled back drug possession penalties.

Published
February 24, 2023

Kennebunk doctor had history of writing life-threatening opioid prescriptions, new documents say

Investigators say Dr. Merideth Norris of Kennebunk had the highest opioid prescribing rate in Maine with no legitimate medical purpose.
Published
February 3, 2023

Fentanyl, the fast-acting and incredibly lethal opioid, killed more than 500 Mainers last year

Fentanyl is sometimes referred to as the "instant death," an official from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services said Friday.
Published
January 30, 2023

Bill seeking to repeal fire code exemption for recovery residences would be devastating, opponents say

The fallout from a bill that would repeal an exemption in fire code regulations and require recovery residences to install sprinkler systems would be devastating for Maine’s recovery community, operators and advocates told lawmakers at a public hearing Monday.
Published
January 26, 2023

Number of Mainers who died from a drug overdose last year outpaced record set in 2021

Significantly impacting fatal overdoses is the introduction of xylazine and nonpharmaceutical tramadol. Both drugs showed up on toxicology reports for the first time in 2021, almost always in combination with fentanyl.
Published
November 14, 2022

Hundreds of patients searching for help as Kennebunk doctor faces opioid charges

Dr. Merideth Norris is unable to prescribe opioids while facing federal charges. She was treating hundreds of patients with substance use disorder and chronic pain who now don't know where to get their medications.

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opioids