PORTLAND, Maine — The number of overdoses in Portland increased from 2022 to 2023, according to new data from the Portland Police Department.
A total of 527 overdoses were reported in the city in 2023, compared to 518 the year prior. The number of people who died from overdoses decreased, however, from 51 in 2022 to 47 in 2023.
The increase in overdoses came at a critical point during the holidays in 2023, which saw a 62-percent spike in overdoses from November to December of 2023. This is something Portland Police Substance Use Disorder Liaison Bill Burns said is common during the later months.
"When so many people are celebrating family there are a lot of people excluded from that... they need to use their substances and are using it to ease their pain," Burns said.
Burns said his department couldn't pinpoint exactly what led to the rise in overdoses, but said the lethality of the drugs is increasing when noticing what the drugs are mixed with.
"Those in danger use to accrue over time. Now if you pick up after not using for a while you could die tonight," Burns said.
But the crux of the spike, according to Burns, highlights the lack of detox beds available for people experiencing drug addiction.
A detox bed is a shelter where someone can safely wean off their drug use. There are currently limited options for this in the city.
Milestone is planning to double the number of detox beds it has come March, but Burns said it's an issue that still needs attention.
"I spoke with someone this morning that was ready to go to detox and none of the beds were available... there are people who know they have a problem and they can't fix it in Maine's largest city," Burns said.
According to the police data, a fifth of Portland's overdoses impacted those experiencing homelessness.
Henry Myer, who works outreach for Preble Street, said the recent clearings of encampments scattered their clients. He said it's hard to track them but hopes to in the next week.
"Are clients are scattered... many have reported going deeper into the woods which is really scary considering the spikes in overdoses," Myer said.
Before the encampment underneath the Casco Bay Bridge was cleared, Myer said Preble Street brought 45 people into shelter. He said that for many remaining, detox beds may not be enough.
"It's only the beginning because detox can be four or five days," he said.
Myer said sometimes people leave detox and end up back on the street without shelter to go to, leaving them more vulnerable to an overdose.
"Many times they return to the same situation they left in the first place," Myer said.