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Maine Continues to See Decline in Overdose Deaths Amid Ongoing Opioid Epidemic Efforts

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As Maine marks International Overdose Awareness Day, the state's governor, Janet Mills, has emphasized the need for continued commitment to fighting the opioid epidemic, despite a decline in overdose deaths. According to the latest data, fatal overdoses in Maine have fallen by more than 20 percent to 213 from January to June 2025, following a trend of decreasing deaths since last year. Non-fatal overdoses have also decreased by more than 18 percent to 2,901 as of the end of May.

Key Takeaways:

  • Governor Janet Mills has issued a proclamation declaring August 31, 2025, as International Overdose Awareness Day in Maine.
  • Fatal overdoses in Maine have declined by more than 20 percent to 213 from January to June 2025, continuing a trend of decreasing deaths since last year.
  • Non-fatal overdoses have decreased by more than 18 percent to 2,901 as of the end of May 2025.
  • The Governor has emphasized the need for continued commitment to fighting the opioid epidemic, despite progress achieved through prevention, naloxone distribution, treatment, and recovery support.
  • The Mills Administration has taken significant actions to save lives from opioids, including:

+ Providing health insurance coverage through MaineCare expansion to over 100,000 Mainers, with more than 31,000 individuals receiving treatment for substance use.

+ Expanding treatment for substance use and opioid use disorder with increases in Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) and Opioid Treatment Programs (OTP) across the state.

+ Recruiting and training of over 2,000 recovery coaches.

+ Increasing the number of Recovery Community Centers and Certified Recovery Residences across the state.

+ Bolstering Opioid Treatment Programs with 15 programs providing daily methadone to over 5,400 patients.

+ Establishing the OPTIONS Program statewide to provide therapeutic interventions, outreach, referrals, and post-overdose follow-up for individuals.

+ Developing Maine's statewide naloxone distribution program and increasing distribution of naloxone by over 200 percent from 2020 to 2024.

+ Expanding Maine's "Good Samaritan" law to encourage individuals to call for life-saving assistance when someone at their location is experiencing an overdose.

+ Providing funding for medically monitored withdrawal beds and dedicating $1 million to purchase and distribute test strips for the powerful sedative xylazine.

+ Vastly expanding team-based treatment of opioid use disorder for eligible MaineCare members and uninsured individuals through Opioid Health Homes.

+ Establishing Recovery Friendly Workplaces, with 73 businesses that employ 11,000 employees now certified.

  • The OPTIONS initiative works statewide to support treatment, harm reduction, and recovery, and to reduce fatal and non-fatal overdoses through community-based outreach.

Statistics:

  • 213 fatal overdoses in Maine from January to June 2025, a decline of more than 20 percent compared to the same period last year.
  • 2,901 non-fatal overdoses as of the end of May 2025, a decrease of more than 18 percent compared to the same period last year.
  • 648,000 doses of naloxone distributed statewide since 2019, which has been used to reverse 11,393 overdoses that may have otherwise been fatal.
  • 400 listings available through Treatment Connection's private search tool to help individuals and families find local substance use and mental health services.
  • 73 businesses that employ 11,000 employees now certified as Recovery Friendly Workplaces.

Sources:

  • Maine Governor's Office: https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/news/international-overdose-awareness-day-governor-mills-honors-maine-people-lost-and-embraces
  • Maine Department of Health and Human Services: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/

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