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Drug treatment experts 'not surprised' by increase in overdose deaths

A report from Maine's attorney general says 418 people died in 2017 — 11 percent more than the previous year.

PORTLAND (NEWS CENTER Maine) — People who manage some of Maine’s drug treatment programs say they were not surprised by the news that Maine set a new record for drug overdose deaths last year.

A report from Maine's attorney general says 418 people died in 2017 — 11 percent more than the previous year.

Drug treatment experts like Bob Fowler of Milestone Recovery say one of the biggest problems is a shortage of detox beds and treatment capacity to handle the number of people who finally do seek treatment.

"The unfortunate reality," Fowler said, "is we turn away dozens of people every month because our beds are full and more people are seeking service than beds available."

Recovery advocates: 'We are not doing enough'

He said Milestone is one of the very few places in Maine with detox beds for people who want to immediately get into treatment. Fowler said the state needs more of those beds, and also more money to provide additional treatment once people leave the detox facilities.

Some of the experts blamed Gov. Paul LePage for not giving stronger support for treatment programs, and blamed the state legislature for not working together to address the opioid crisis.

Gov. LePage’s office sent out a statement Friday afternoon which said, in part, "We need more education, stronger enforcement, and more available treatment including faith-based programs. We must also focus prevention efforts on our middle-school youth so that they never start using any addictive substance that can lead them down this tragic path."

But the treatment experts all said state government needs to take action to make treatment more available, including increased access to medication-assisted treatment for addiction.

Dr. Mark Publicker, who was co-chair of the treatment committee for a task force created by the U.S. attorney, said the state needs to expand addiction treatment soon.

"If we wait for a new governor and new administration, and then we wait until that administration comes up with a plan, hundreds more people will die," Publicker said.

The legislature formed a special opioid task force, which issued recommendations in December.

Lawmakers are currently considering seven bills as a result of that report.

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