Governor Mills Opioid Response Summit & Seminars are part of the state’s strong commitment to fighting the opioid epidemic. The Summit and Seminars convene leaders from across Maine to share ideas, strategies, and best practices to help Maine people and families affected by this public health crisis. The summit’s theme reflects the personal and societal challenges of substance use disorder and opportunities to build a better, kinder future together. Seminars are held on the first Friday of every month from 11:30-12:30, see the link below to register.
Held on December 2, 2022
The Role of EMS in Maine’s Opioid Response
Recording coming soon.
Held on January 6, 2023
Opioid Response Webinar: Featuring Bamboo Health’s TreatmentConnection.com and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC)
Scheduled on February 3, 2023
The Governor’s Opioid Response Monthly Webinar will feature a deep dive into the 2022 drug overdoses, both fatal and non-fatal, which the state experienced and the state’s actions taken in response to the data. Marcella Sorg, PhD. of the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center at the University of Maine will lead the discussion accompanied by Rebecca Taylor, Deputy Director of Research and Evaluation at the DHHS Office of Behavioral Health who leads the weekly data team meeting.
Held on September 2, 2022
Approaches to SUD with Methadone
Held on October 7, 2022
Held on November 4, 2022






















































KEYNOTES AND PRESENTATIONS
Governor Janet Mills hosted her 4th Annual Opioid Response Summit on Monday, July 11, 2022 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. The theme for this year’s summit was Community, Connection, & Compassion. The annual summit is part of the state’s commitment to fighting the opioid epidemic, and convenes leaders from around Maine and the Nation to share ideas, strategies, and best practices to help Maine people affected by this crisis. This full-day, in-person program featured keynote speakers and breakout sessions, with the voices of persons in recovery featured prominently.
Governor Mills: Expanding Substance Use Disorder Treatment in Rural Maine
Maine remains within the crushing grip of an unrelenting opioid epidemic. This is an epidemic which began decades ago, and which has now worsened from effects of the pandemic and specifically the increased presence of dangerous, highly lethal drugs like fentanyl. It’s an epidemic that is killing a record number of Maine people – people who are our family, friends, and neighbors.
Governor Mills: A community in Maine who cares and who never gives up
At the height of the pandemic, people were unable to connect safely with their community. This fact alone had particularly deadly consequences for people suffering from substance use disorder here in Maine and across the country.
While the pandemic waxes and wanes, we are still losing people with substance use disorder every day.
Mills to hold Maine’s 4th annual opioid summit Monday
The summit gathered health care workers, law enforcement officials, policy experts, and members of the public to work together on the opioid crisis.
Photo(s) Credit: Erin Towns Photography
Held on September 10, 2021
Maine Naloxone Distribution Initiative (MNDI)
Held on October 1, 2021
New Overdose Spike Alert System
OPTIONS Program
The Road Ahead, looking back on 2021 and Maine’s Opioid Response strategy and priorities for 2022.
Connecting Communities of Recovery, Inside and Outside of Maine’s Correctional Facilities
Invisible Disability: Overdose, Brain Injury, and the Impact of Cognitive Impairment on Service Delivery and Treatment
Responding to the Epidemic within a Pandemic: Shatterproof’s Approach to Addressing Addiction
4th Annual Opioid Response Summit – Community, Connection, & Compassion
Held July 15, 2021
Governor Mills 3rd Annual Opioid Response Summit
The annual summit is part of the state’s commitment to fighting the opioid epidemic and convenes leaders from around Maine to share ideas, strategies, and best practices to help Maine people affected by this crisis. The summit’s theme, “Perseverance, Prevention, and Promise,” reflects the personal and societal challenges of substance use disorder and the conditions needed to advance and support recovery.
Held July 23, 2020
Governor Mills 2nd Annual Opioid Response Summit
The annual summit is part of the state’s commitment to fighting the opioid epidemic and convenes leaders from around Maine to share ideas, strategies, and best practices to help Maine people affected by this crisis. The summit’s theme, “Compassion, Community, Connection,” reflects the personal and societal challenges of substance use disorder and the conditions needed to advance and support recovery.
Held on July 23, 2020
Held on July 23, 2020
Held on September 4, 2020
Harm Reduction Access in Maine
Held on October 2, 2020
Reducing Healthcare Professional’s Stigma Toward Persons with Opioid Use Disorder
Held on November 6, 2020
The Workflow: Preparing Primary Care Sites to Integrate Medication Assisted Treatment
Held on December 4, 2020
Prevention of Substance Use Disorders
Held on January 8, 2021
Connecting with Opportunities Initiative
Held on February 5, 2021
Opioid Response Strategic Action Plan
Held on March 5, 2021
OPTIONS initiative
Held on April 2, 2021
Held on May 7, 2021