Everest Recovery's new opioid treatment center in Manchester will join their other location in Saco, combating Maine's opioid epidemic when it officially opens next month."We looked to be part of the solution in helping these folks who are struggling and who truly want to get," said Peter Morris, the CEO of Everest Recovery.Gov. Janet Mills was on hand to celebrate the news of the opening while reflecting on how far-reaching the epidemic has become."Rural and urban. Robbing us of friends and family and loved ones and diminishing our sense of community, our workforce, and our future," Gov. Mills said.According to Gov. Mills, there were more than 10,000 overdoses last year in Maine, 716 of which were fatal. "In December 2022, our state saw its worst month on record with 928 overdoses and 75 deaths included in that," Gov. Mills added.Gov. Mills said fentanyl contributed to 80% of all deaths."And now the growing presence of Xylene is making the situation even worse," said Gov. Mills.Mills announced during the ceremony that Everest Recovery will join Maine's Opioid Health Home Program.The initiative provides increased reimbursement for comprehensive services for opioid use disorder treatment."Facilities like this one are some important tools to help people access treatment and basically save lives and restore the quality of life to people, individuals and families stuck by this epidemic today," Gov. Mills said.Part of what Everest Recovery does is provide medication-assisted treatment services that utilize methadone. "Today, 4,833 patients in Maine are receiving this lifesaving medication, the most ever in our state," said Gov. Mills.Gordon Smith, the director of opioid response in Maine, says expanding affordable, immediate, and local treatment options for substance abuse disorder is a key part of our state's response to the opioid crisis. "We absolutely have to make it easier to get treatment than it is to get drugs," Smith said.Gov. Mills' office says this announcement follows a series of new actions announced last month by the governor, including expanding the state's purchase and distribution of naloxone by 25% and increasing the availability of residential treatment and detox beds across the state.