News

Fatal overdoses in Portland on the rise, new data shows

Fatal overdoses in Portland on the rise, new data shows

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


The number of fatal overdoses in Portland this year has already surpassed the total reached in 2021.

Interim Police Chief Heath Gorham announced the release of new data Tuesday. He said police in the city have responded to 28 fatal overdoses so far this year, compared to the year-end total last year of 23 fatal overdoses.

Gorham says it’s clear the opioid epidemic is not slowing down, and that the city is on track to surpass the record of 436 overdoses in 2017.

There have been a total 238 overdoses, including non-fatal ones, since January, with officers using Narcan in 41 of those incidents.

Latest Headlines

2 hours ago in Local

Biddeford Summit to Focus on SNAP Benefit Gap from Shutdown

Mayor Marty Grohman says they're already expanding an existing program in Biddeford

4 hours ago in Trending, World

Hurricane Melissa weakens as it churns across Cuba as a Category 2 storm

Hurricane Melissa was grinding across Cuba on Wednesday as a Category 2 storm after pummeling Jamaica as one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

8 hours ago in Local

Maine, Texas are Latest Fronts in Voting Battles on the Ballot

Republicans are pushing for major changes in the way the states conducts its voting.

17 hours ago in Local

Thomaston Woman Accused of Trying to Run Over Border Patrol Agent

Police claim the suspects left the scene and was then arrested

18 hours ago in Local

Deputies Looking for Driver Who Left Scene After Hitting Pedestrian in Pownal

Deputies say a man was returning to his vehicle from a walk in the woods when he was hit.