Times Record cites UMaine research in article about harm reduction for substance abuse

The Times Record cited University of Maine research in an article about efforts to reduce the stigma associated with substance abuse treatment and harm reduction. According to UMaine research, an estimated 636 Mainers died of drug overdoses in 2021, an increase of more than 20% over the previous state record set in 2020. A report from UMaine’s Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center found that the emergence of fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid that is now commonly mixed with other illicit drugs, is partly responsible for the increase in overdoses. The report, which included January–September 2021 data, attributed 76% of overdoses to fentanyl.