An October 2011 article in the Kennebec Journal referred to Maine as “one of the worst states in the nation for pill abuse.” This statement came nearly ten years after Maine’s U.S. attorney called the prescription medication abuse in Maine as “possibly the greatest social problem facing Maine.”
Just some of the statistics stated in the article included:
- Maine’s pill habit is among the worst in the nation.
- About 1,400 Maine residents have died from prescription drug overdoses over the last decade.
- Substance abuse in Maine costs the state about $1.18 billion a year from the misuse of prescription drugs.
- Pharmaceutical overdose deaths in Maine peaked in 2009 at 165, with more Maine residents dying from prescription drug overdoses than motor vehicle accidents.
DEA Operations That have Taken Place in Portland, Maine
Portland, Maine, as the largest city in the state, has seen a considerable amount of activity regarding the state’s prescription drug abuse epidemic, as is evident from recent headlines:
- July 2012: A Florida resident was sentenced for trafficking oxycodone from Florida to Maine. The investigation resulted in the seizure of 600 oxycodone pills and nearly $23,000 in cash. DEA agents arrested the individual as he exited an airplane at the Portland International Airport; he had 520 oxycodone pills in his bags at the time.
- October 2012: A Jamaican individual was sentenced for distributing crack cocaine into the Greater Portland area. The investigation was led by the DEA and carried out with the help of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Portland Police Department, and the Scarborough Police Department.
How to Become a DEA Agent in Portland by Meeting Requirements
Individuals interested in finding out how to become a DEA agent in Portland will need to meet strict requirements before being eligible for training.
A bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational requirement. The exceptions that are made are for those with years of related law enforcement experience.
Candidates for DEA jobs in Portland must complete a panel interview; take a polygraph examination; take a psychological assessment; take a written assessment and physical fitness assessment; and undergo a thorough background investigation.