Gov. Janet Mills says Maine saw 20% drop in overdose deaths, outlines state efforts

Governor Janet Mills said Maine recorded a 20% drop in fatal overdoses last year and described a range of state efforts intended to prevent addiction and expand treatment.

"Last year, fatal overdoses were down by 20 percent statewide," Mills said, adding that it is the third consecutive year with double-digit declines. She cautioned, "every single overdose is a tragic and preventable loss of a valued life, and we cannot become complacent."

Mills outlined steps her administration has taken over the past seven years, saying officials have worked to stop illicit drugs from reaching Maine, to prevent addiction and to treat people with substance use disorder. She said the state is supporting law enforcement efforts and noted that "the MDEA seized more than 24 pounds of fentanyl," which she called a leading cause of fatal overdoses.

Mills credited MaineCare expansion with extending health coverage to nearly 230,000 people in the state and said "more than 69,000 individuals in that group" have received treatment for addiction since 2019. On harm reduction, she said the state has distributed "nearly 800,000 doses of the life saving overdose reversal medication naloxone," which she said "has been used to reverse more than 12,000 overdoses that otherwise clearly would have been fatal."

The governor described the Options program as a partnership among behavioral health liaisons, recovery coaches and first responders to get individuals into treatment after an overdose. She also said the administration has increased residential treatment beds and "invested heavily in proven community recovery programs."

Mills noted that 86 businesses have been designated as "recovery-friendly workplaces," employing nearly 25,000 people, and that the state expanded its Good Samaritan law to encourage bystanders to call for help during overdoses. "Saving a life is the highest priority," she said.

Mills closed by urging leadership at every level — from community officials to young people offered drugs — to prevent initiation of substance use and to support people in recovery. She concluded the recorded message by thanking listeners and identifying herself as governor.