opioids

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.
Published
November 9, 2022

U.S. sanctions Dutch, UK sellers of millions in illegal fentanyl

Synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, have become the most common drugs involved in drug overdose deaths in the U.S.

Published
October 28, 2022

As fentanyl drives overdose deaths, mistaken beliefs persist

Fentanyl and other potent synthetic opioids ingrained in the nation's illicit drug supply are killing more people in the U.S. than any other drug has.
Published
October 27, 2022

Maine doctor targeted by federal opioid task force is well-known provider of substance use treatment

Dr. Merideth Norris, 52, of Kennebunk, has been an outspoken critic of changes to state law in 2016 that tightened the criteria doctors must meet to prescribe opioids.
Published
October 26, 2022

Kennebunk doctor charged with illegally distributing opioids

The Criminal Division of the U.S. Justice Department arrested Merideth C. Norris, 52, on Wednesday.
Published
September 23, 2022

Advocates seek more say in how opioid settlements are spent

As billions of dollars in opioid lawsuit settlements are starting to flow to governments, families and advocates impacted by the opioid crisis are pushing for a meaningful say in how the money will be used.
Published
September 1, 2022

New Hampshire to get $40.5 million in opioids case settlement

The attorney general's office says Johnson & Johnson has agreed to pay the state over its role in the crisis, days before the case was scheduled for trial.

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opioids