Maine Tackles Its Drug Epidemic

(Augusta, Maine) - Top law enforcement and emergency medical officials say a special state police unit and three working groups will be created to address  Maine's drug epidemic. 

Participants in a summit convened by  Gov. Paul LePage to address the state's drug epidemic have agreed to create a special unit at the state police intelligence
center that's going to focus on drugs, and to set up three working groups focusing on law enforcement, education and treatment.

 Public Safety Commissioner John Morris says the state police unit will receive participation from emergency services providers to quickly identify trends.
He said the state plans to commit a couple more Maine National Guard personnel to the four existing staffers who're already analyzing data at the intelligence clearinghouse.

Officials say there have been 105 overdose deaths in the first six months the year in Maine.