Facts and Figures

In 2016, opioids – prescription and illicit – were involved in 42,249 overdose deaths in the United States – 64 percent of all drug overdose deaths.[i]
There were 418 drug-induced deaths in Maine in 2017. Of those, 85% were caused by at least one opioid.[ii]
Opioid overdose deaths in Maine increased over 11 percent from March 2017 to March 2018, and the rate has been climbing steadily for the past five years.[iii]
In 2016, there were 301 opioid-related overdose deaths in Maine – a rate of 25.2 deaths per 100,000 persons. This is nearly double the national rate of 13.3 deaths per 100,000.[iv]
Emergency Medical Services in Maine responded to a total of 3,328 overdoses in 2016.^iv
From 2013 to 2016, Maine’s EMS overdose responses increased by 22 percent. Individuals between 26 and 35 years of age experiencing overdoses increased 57 percent, followed by those between the ages of 18 and 25 years (22%) and those 55 and older (15%). Individuals under 18 years experienced a 20 percent decrease from 2013 to 2016.[v]

[iii] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/drug-overdose-data.htm

[v] Maine Department of Health and Human Services Statewide Epidemiology Outcomes Workgroup: http://www.maineseow.com/Documents/SEOW%20EpiProfile%202017%20FINAL%2009292017.pdf