Media report on early 2017 drug overdose deaths compiled by Sorg
The Associated Press, Bangor Daily News, Penobscot Bay Pilot, Portland Press Herald, WLBZ (Channel 2) and Maine Public reported on Maine drug overdose death figures released by the state attorney general’s office. The number of Maine overdose deaths so far in 2017 is on par with last year, suggesting the numbers are leveling off while still averaging one per day, the AP reported. There were 185 drug overdose deaths in the first six months of the year — a slight decline from the same period in 2016, according to the data, which was compiled by Marcella Sorg, an anthropologist and research professor with the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center at the University of Maine. The data indicates the overdose antidote Naloxone was given to more than a third of overdose victims who died, which was an increase from 25 percent the year before, according to the AP. Many more were undoubtedly saved by the drug, which must be administered quickly to be effective, Sorg said. “At least people are attempting to reverse these overdoses,” she said. U.S. News & World Report carried the AP article.