Use and Recovery Community

Through Governor Janet Mills’ Executive Order 2, aimed at responding to Maine’s opioid epidemic, the state is committed to:

  • Maintaining a broad-based overdose education and naloxone administration program
  • Developing evidence-based policies to reduce overdose deaths
  • Meeting individuals when they are ready to engage in evidence-based treatments
  • Training 250 recovery coaches and support the creation of recovery-friendly communities
  • Creating public messaging campaigns to destigmatize persons who use drugs by law enforcement, clinicians, pharmacists, and the general public

Get Naloxone

image of intranasal and intramuscular naloxone

Naloxone is a medication to have on hand in case of an opioid emergency. It is designed to reverse the effects of opioids in the body. In Maine, you can obtain naloxone through harm reduction and public health organizations or by contacting your physician or local pharmacist. Have a conversation today at your regional syringe access program or contact Maine Access Points or Health Equity Alliance to arrange for naloxone pickup or to have naloxone mailed to your home.

Click for points of access

Engage with EMS

The Good Samaritan law: On May 23, 2019, Governor Janet Mills signed into law LD 329, An Act To Exempt from Criminal Liability Persons Reporting a Drug-related Medical Emergency. The law exempts individuals from arrest or prosecution for the possession of illicit drugs and drug paraphernalia as well as violations of probation if they are in good faith calling 9-1-1 to seek medical assistance for another person experiencing a drug-related overdose.

view the Good Samaritan Law

Get Supplies

Syringe Access Programs (SAP) provide sterile supplies and disposal of supplies including syringes, fentanyl test strips, naloxone, and sharps disposal containers. SAPs also often provide overdose prevention education and disease testing services. SAPs are located in Augusta, Bangor, Belfast, Ellsworth, Lewiston, Machias, Portland, and Waterville. Due to Executive Order 27, mobile syringe exchange and home delivery is available. Also, the 1-for-1 rule is temporarily suspended.

Locate your local SaP

Know your OPTIONS

Wherever you are in your journey, you are not alone. The Maine OPTIONS initiative, which stands for Overdose Prevention Through Intensive Outreach, Naloxone and Safety, can direct you to local harm reduction, treatment, recovery, and prevention services. Learn where you can get harm reduction supplies, what you can do to save a life, when you should call 9-1-1, and who you can turn to with questions regarding substance use, treatment, and recovery.

explore your options

Drug Data Hub Quick Facts

  • 98.94% is the average survival rate for individuals experiencing overdose in 2020 if they are transported to the emergency room
  • 380 Mainers lost their lives due to drug overdoses during the first three quarters of 2020
  • 65% of fatal overdoses involve fentanyl or fentanyl analogs alone or in combination with other drugs in 2020.
  • 55,788 doses of state-supplied naloxone were distributed by public health and harm reduction organizations through November of 2020
  • 1136 opioid overdose reversals were reported with state-supplied naloxone by public health and harm reduction partners from January-November 2020
  • 13 Recovery Community Centers trained recovery coaches, educated the public and engaged in prevention efforts to build hope and support in 2020.

Source: University of Maine, Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center, Maine Naloxone Distribution Initiative.

Source: Office of Behavioral Health, Substance use disorder treatment trends.

Source: Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Syringe Service Programs in Maine Annual Report, 2019.

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