PORTLAND, Maine (WGAN) Portland Police say they responded to an “alarming” number of drug overdoses since Dec. 24th.

Spokesman David Singer says the department responded to two fatal overdoses and 21 nonfatal overdoses since Christmas Eve. Narcan was used in 14 of the 21 nonfatal overdoses.

During the same period last year, Singer says the department responded to 9 nonfatal overdoses and no fatalities, representing a 133% increase this year.

Singer says police are again urging the public to be aware of existing resources to prevent overdose deaths, including the city’s Overdose Recognition and Response Training, which also offers Narcan at no cost.