In Maine, Drug-Overdose Deaths Take Lead

[NoAmericanTaliban]

Jan 11, 3:16 PM (ET)

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - For the first time, drug overdose deaths in Maine apparently exceeded the number of people killed in traffic accidents last year, officials said Wednesday.

Final figures are not available yet, but state officials projected that overdose deaths in 2005 would reach 178, most of them accidental, compared with 167 highway deaths.

<SNIP>

According to a preliminary report released by the state, the number of accidental drug deaths increased from 19 in 1997 to an estimated 140 for 2005. Most of the increase is attributable to the misuse of prescription drugs, the report said.

<SNIP>

"Let me be blunt: The Bush White House has failed to step to the plate for some of the most basic needs of Maine people," he said.

http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20060111/D8F2MF8O1.html

[imported_dem]

1. apparently

so has the state government.

[Ezlivin]

2. How many marijuana overdose deaths?

None.

How many other illegal drug overdoses?

We're spending approximately $20 billion a year on fighting illegal drugs, but it's the legal ones that are doing the killing.

It's time to end the War on Drugs.

And would someone please tell me why every solution is a "War" on something?

[NorCalDem]

3. I wonder how many of these drug overdoses were from

precription drugs and not illegal ones. I would agree with post #2 that ZERO of these deaths were marijuana related whereas at least ONE must have been from precription drugs. I would be curious to see all the statistics.

[Maine-ah]

4. I think that part of the problem

is that we have seen quite an increase in methadone clinics up here. These clinics allow "take-homes". So, instead of having to take your does in front of someone, and having to have someone to drive you home, you get to take your dose with you. Many of these "take-homes" are being sold on the street, where people are combining these doses with other drugs. Or the person who got the take home is combining with other drugs.

Now, I understand that people who are addicted to drugs need help, I just don't think that substituting one drug for another is the way to do it. One such group just got approval in my area to open a clinic (which is going to be situated near a trailer park and right in front of a school bus stop) one of the owners has been on methadone for over ten years.

story from town meeting:
The corner is also the neighborhood's bus stop, and Pleasant Gardens parents said they were worried about their children's exposure to the clinic, fearing brawls, drug deals or drowsy drivers threatening child safety. City officials said they would try to have the bus stop moved.

Residents also grumbled that a lower-income neighborhood like Pleasant Gardens is being victimized by the city as a place for the clinic, while other, more affluent areas of Rockland are protected

Former Mayor Jimmy Raye told the council that's exactly what's happening. "If you put this at the end of Samoset Road," he said, pointing toward the audience, "this place would be filled." An "Amen!" was blurted behind him.

http://knox.villagesoup.com/Government/story.cfm?storyID=66200

So with taking this in to account, along with the increase in heroin use (WTF happened to pot?)and other harder drugs, no wonder we have seen such an increase in deaths.

On Edit:
PS, Baldacci may be a democrat, but he's a fucking idiot.