Maine names new director of mental health and substance abuse services

Jessica Pollard, who has been teaching at the Yale University School of Medicine, returns to her native state to lead an office that plays a key role in responding to the opioid crisis.

How fentanyl flowed through the U.S. Postal Service and across the southern border

Vulnerabilities that allowed vast quantities of the drug into the United States went unaddressed for years as tens of thousands of Americans died from overdoses.

Fifteen percent of pharmacies handled nearly half of all opioid pills nationwide

As use of opioid antidote increases, drug overdose deaths decline

Naloxone doses are now widely available in Maine pharmacies, although a new federal database shows significant variations in sales by county.

Emergency hospital admissions for drug overdoses have declined in Maine since 2017

The trend mirrors a statewide decrease in overdose deaths, with improved access to Suboxone and naloxone.

Maine drug overdose deaths continued decline in first quarter, falling 14%

The state had 74 fatal drug overdoses through March, down from 86 for the same period last year. Most of the deaths were caused by fentanyl, and cocaine-related overdoses are on the rise.

Maine summit on opioid crisis to offer a range of sessions

The summit is scheduled for Monday in Augusta.

Effort to increase Medicaid patients’ access to opioid treatment is threatened

A provision in federal law designed to control costs – called the upper payment limit – is creating an obstacle.

Maine becomes latest state to sue pharmaceutical company over opioid crisis

Attorney General Aaron Frey files a lawsuit that accuses Purdue Pharma of deceptive business practices in marketing the drugs to the state's health care providers.

Health care has dominated legislative session

Democrats control the House and Senate and have a governor who's on their side. Their priority has been health care, both in policy changes and spending priorities