AG Frey urges continued action at Governor's Opioid Summit

July 15, 2021

BREWER - Attorney General Aaron M. Frey participated in Governor Janet Mills's third Opioid Summit today, speaking live from the Bangor Area Recovery Network (BARN) center in Brewer. The attorney generals remarks focused on efforts to prevent overdose deaths, to disrupt the flow of fentanyl into Maine, and to expand access to treatment.

"As attorney general, I see the impact of the continued impact of the opioid epidemic on families, communities, and our state," said Frey. "I am grateful that the administration has continued to make this crisis a top priority and marshalled the resources of every corner of our state government in working to save lives and abate the crisis. I am particularly encouraged by the recent creation of the Accidental Overdose Death Review Panel, which will examine systems and practices with the goal of saving lives."

Attorney General Frey's remarks were preceded by a message from U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, who worked with Frey when he was attorney general of California. Attorney General Frey praised Becerra's work to protect the Affordable Care Act, under which greater substance use disorder treatment access is provided.

Attorney General Frey also urged participants to visit www.mainedrugdata.org, which houses the monthly overdose death data published by the Office of the Attorney General and includes other important information about the states efforts to abate the crisis.

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