AUGUSTA — Just as in Vermont, heroin abuse has grown in Maine, with 28 people in the state dying from an overdose in 2012.

Attorney General Janet Mills says heroin use is on the rise, partly because of regulations restricting prescriptions for oxycodone and regulations requiring tamper-resistant packaging of prescription opioids.

Mills said the 28 deaths were among 163 drug-induced deaths in Maine in 2012.

Mills said her office prosecuted about 630 felony drug cases in 2013.

A review of the first 11 months of 2013 shows that the number of heroin deaths remained high during the year and will likely exceed 2012 levels.

More coverage:

• Heroin busts, overdoses on the rise
• Maine battles record year for meth labs