Category Archives: public health

Addiction experts decry LePage plan to cut methadone funds

A group of local and national substance abuse experts spoke out Tuesday against Gov. Paul LePage’s plan to eliminate state funding for methadone treatment. LePage’s budget would transition opiate addicts seeking treatment from methadone clinics to Suboxone, a prescribed medication that patients must acquire from their doctors. Both Suboxone — a combination of two medications called buprenorphine […]

Maine bill would allow drug users’ friends to administer overdose antidote

A medication that halts an opiate overdose in its tracks is in the hands of many Maine first responders, thanks to legislation passed last year. Now, a Waterville lawmaker wants to expand access to the life-saving drug, called naloxone hydrochloride, even further. Naloxone — known under the brand name Narcan — is a prescription medication that blocks opioid receptors […]

Flu cases spike in Maine

Remember when I asked a couple of weeks ago if Maine’s flu season was really that bad? Well, it’s getting worse, according to new Maine CDC numbers. Learn About Tableau The number of reported flu cases spiked to 1,527 as of Jan. 17, up from 974 the prior week. Penobscot, Cumberland and York counties have been […]