Maine experienced the 12th highest percentage increase in overdose deaths in 2021 among all states, according to federal statistics released on Wednesday. An estimated 621 people died of overdoses in Maine last year, an increase of 26.7-percent, according to statistics released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The US total was estimated at 107,622 overdose deaths, an increase of 14.9 percent. The figures released Wednesday are provisional estimates, and could change as investigations into the deaths are concluded.
Earlier this year, Maine Public reported that state experts had estimated 636 people died of overdoses in 2021, a record. Experts blamed fentanyl for the increase in overdoses, along with the isolation caused by the pandemic. The New York Times reported that around the country fentanyl and methamphetamine were driving the increase nationally.
Top 12 states with the highest percentage increases in overdose deaths:
Alaska: 256 deaths in 2021, a 75.3 percent increase over 2020.
Kansas: 680 deaths in 2021, a 42.9 percent increase.
South Dakota: 100 deaths in 2021, a 35.1 percent increase.
Vermont: 250 deaths in 2021, a 34.4 percent increase.
Oregon: 1069 deaths in 2021, a 33.6 percent increase.
Washington State: 2254 deaths in 2021, a 30.6 percent increase
New Mexico: 1058 deaths in 2021, a 30.1 percent increase.
Alabama: 1312 deaths in 2021, a 29.8 percent increase.
Louisiana: 2485 deaths in 2021, a 28.8 percent increase.
Mississippi: 703 deaths in 2021, a 28.8 percent increase.
Georgia: 2399 deaths in 2021, a 27.7 percent increase.
Maine: 621 deaths in 2021, a 26.7 percent increase.
Top five states, ranked by total number of overdose deaths:
California: 11704 deaths in 2021, a 22.2 percent increase.
Florida: 8171 deaths in 2021, a 7.6 percent increase.
Pennsylvania: 5297 deaths in 2021, a 3.5 percent increase.
Ohio: 5407 deaths in 2021, a 3.7 percent increase.
Texas: 5033 deaths in 2021, a 19.8 percent increase.
New England states, ranked by total number of deaths:
Massachusetts: 2580 deaths in 2021, an 11.1 percent increase.
Connecticut: 1562 deaths in 2021, a 12.8 percent increase.
Maine: 621 deaths in 2021, a 26.7 percent increase.
Rhode Island: 453 deaths in 2021, a 14.1 percent increase.
New Hampshire: 404 deaths in 2021, a 2.8 percent increase.
Vermont: 250 deaths, a 34.4 percent increase.
Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
