Law enforcement agencies in Maine are undergoing significant operational modifications to address the escalating drug crisis wreaking havoc on communities with record-high numbers of fatal overdoses and opioid-related arrests.
The severity of the illegal drug trade in the state has prompted authorities in Fairfield, Skowhegan, Portland and other towns to reallocate resources, strengthen investigations and adopt innovative approaches to combat the crisis.
One key adjustment in the Fairfield Police Department is the bolstering of the detective division, including newly promoted Detective Shanna Blodgett, who brings over two decades of experience to the role. Blodgett’s focus on illicit drugs reflects the surge in drug-related activities, largely attributed to the increased presence of fentanyl and opioids in the community.
She cites factors such as rising poverty, untreated mental health disorders and greater accessibility to drugs as contributors to the problem.
“Unfortunately, we have all seen a huge jump in drug-related activities,” Blodgett told the Morning Sentinel. “Some reasons being the increase in poverty, untreated mental health disorders and the fact that the drugs are more easily accessible.”
Maine, like many other regions, has seen a concerning rise in drug-related deaths, with a record high of 715 fatalities due to overdose in the previous year. That’s up from 631 overdose-related deaths in 2021, itself an increase from 502 in 2020.
Fentanyl is identified as a major contributor, with four out of five drug-related deaths in the state being linked to this potent opioid, as reported by the Office of the Maine Attorney General.
Amid the grim statistics, some police agencies are pivoting toward a more restorative approach. For instance, the Augusta Police Department recently introduced a program that dispatches licensed behavioral health clinicians to nonfatal overdose calls, focusing on providing treatment rather than just making arrests.
Augusta Deputy Chief Kevin Lully stressed the importance of community-based policing and reducing the stigma associated with substance abuse disorders.
“I think in order to be successful, law enforcement agencies need to be flexible,” Lully said. “We need to employ a combination of intervention, recovery options, the ability for people wanting help to receive it in a destigmatized fashion, heightened education, and community involvement.”
In a similar vein, Waterville Police initiated Operation HOPE (which stands for Heroin Opioid Prevention Effort) in 2017, prioritizing substance abuse treatment over arrests for individuals seeking help. This approach has assisted over 200 people in their journey toward recovery from opioid addiction.
Officials hope the evolving strategies will alleviate the damage done by the drug epidemic.
Karyn Sporer, a University of Maine sociology professor who specializes in the topic, noted that almost every individual in the state is affected either directly or indirectly by the drug crisis.
“The reality is that the opioid epidemic in Maine touches every single person here,” Sporer stated. “While it may not be a family member, everyone has a neighbor or a friend that’s been affected by it. More than a person a day died from some sort of overdose last year.”
According to the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, the number of fentanyl arrests last year spiked at 229, more than double the high from previous years at 110.
Officials point to this number as proof that their strategies are working.
Another strategy being utilized are narcotics police dogs. The Skowhegan Police Department recently received approval to direct $12,000 to purchase its first drug-detection dog.
“It’s time we start looking at bringing in a drug-sniffing dog,” Skowhegan Chief David Bucknam said. “We’ve got enough activity in this town … we need to start being a lot more vigilant about what we’re trying to do out there and to remove more of these drugs off our streets.”
Bucknam introduced the new dog, 13-month-old black Lab Reece, and his handler, Corporal Joshua York, on the department’s Facebook page in August. The two officers were slated to attend the State Police K9 Drug School at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, finishing in early November and then hitting the streets to conduct patrols. “K9 Reece will be a single purpose dog (Drugs Only) and we look forward to him introducing himself to those who bring these drugs into our amazing town,” the chief wrote. “Keeping Skowhegan a safe place to live, work, and visit.”
The crisis has also prompted state agencies to distribute drug testing kits and overdose-reversal medication, like Narcan. However, a potent animal sedative called xylazine has entered the illicit drug market, leading to concerns about a potential surge in fatal overdoses. Often mixed with substances like heroin and fentanyl, it creates a toxic and highly potent concoction, rendering standard overdose treatments ineffective.
To combat this alarming development, the Portland Police Department is working on developing xylazine test strips to identify the presence of this lethal substance.
However, officials note that the efficacy of these tools hinges on the availability of detox and recovery centers, which currently remain a challenge.
Despite the obstacles, the collaborative efforts of law enforcement, communities and institutions are indicative of a growing determination to combat the drug epidemic and save lives.
