Maine drug-overdose deaths climb, could surpass record

Close to 260 people likely died from overdoses in Maine during the first half of this year, according to preliminary estimates. If this continues, 2020 will be the worst year for overdose deaths in state history.

Leslie Clarke, executive director of the Portland Recovery Community Center, said COVID-19 and increased social isolation are factors probably contributing to this tragic spike. One big point struck Clarke about these losses:

“The common factor of people who overdose is, they’re alone,” said Clarke. “So, how do we find additional ways to create the possibility of connection at people’s darkest moments?”

Clarke noted that after the pandemic began, the Portland Recovery Community Center quickly made recovery meetings available on Zoom, and its telephone peer support line is a lot more active.

Read more: https://mainebeacon.com/maine-drug-overdose-deaths-climb-could-surpass-record/

I suspect that economic circumstances may also contribute to an increase in these deaths over the next few years. The emotional damage from COVID-19 is only beginning to show.