UMaine data featured in WMTW report about opioid overdoses in rural communities
WMTW (Channel 8 in Auburn) highlighted data from state agencies and the University of Maine showing fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid, is fueling the surge in deadly overdoses. In 2021, 77% of all fatal overdoses in Maine were attributed to fentanyl, which is up to 50-times stronger than heroin. UMaine data also show that one-fifth of all fatal overdose victims tested positive for both fentanyl and cocaine, and 21% tested positive for fentanyl and methamphetamine last year.