As most of you are aware, with the impending successful eradication of Polio, Rotary is now taking on the task of the Opioid Epidemic. Here is an update from the State of Maine showing why our help is so badly needed.
The number of deaths in 2017 was driven by a sharp increase of 27% in deaths due to illegal fentanyl and fentanyl analogs, while heroin deaths decreased
Most drug deaths were caused by two or more drugs, and the average cause of death involved 3 drugs. The vast majority of overdose deaths (85%) were caused by at least one opioid, including pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical (illegal) opioids. Most of the pharmaceutical opioids, or prescription drugs, were not prescribed for the decedent. Naloxone (Narcan) was detected in 31% of the decedents, which indicates that someone attempted to revive the individual but that attempt was too late.
