Maryland’s Heroin Epidemic
Anne Arundel County’s Substance Abuse Prevention Coalitions are taking action now.
Maryland’s Governor Larry Hogan and Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh have declared states of emergency in Maryland and our county due to the epidemic rates of opioid overdose deaths. Local and countywide prevention coalitions are working diligently to take immediate action.
Anne Arundel County ranks third highest in Maryland in the number of deaths due to opioid misuse. The Anne Arundel County Department of Health is facilitating a county wide work group, Opioid Misuse Prevention Program (OMPP) to implement prevention education and other strategies throughout Anne Arundel County that will decrease opioid misuse and heroin related deaths.
The OMPP Work Group was formed in March 2015 to conduct a County Wide Opioid Needs Assessment and strategic plan.
The OMPP Work Group has identified the following Variables and Contributing Factors to Opioid Misuse and overdose deaths:
- Doctors do not discuss the dangers of prescription Opioids with their patients
- Majority of people report that Doctors and Pharmacists do not discuss the dangers of Opioid misuse
- Prescription Opioids are available in homes
- There is a lack of proper monitoring and storage of prescription opioids in the home
- Low Perceived Risk
- There is a community belief that prescription opioids are safer than heroin
The Good Samaritan Law. Do you know your rights?
According to the 2015 Maryland Public Opinion Survey, 61% of Anne Arundel County residents have never heard of the Good Samaritan Law. No longer should the fear of prosecution prevent a person from calling 911 or Police Officials for medical help when a possible alcohol or drug related overdose is in progress.
The following presentation explains the Good Samaritan Law in detail:
More Resources
Check out the following links for more information on opioid abuse, prevention, and treatment:
- 2015 OMPP Needs Assessment Report
- Opioid Misuse Prevention Program (OMPP)
- Denial is Deadly
- Heroin and Prescription Narcotics
- Overdose Prevention in Maryland
- County Executive Steven Schuh Declares Heroin Public Health Emergency (January 27, 2015)
- The Office of County Executive’s Heroin Taskforce Report
If you have a person who uses opioids in your family or if you are a Prevention or Treatment professional, you can receive free training in Naloxone. Be PREPARED. You never know when you may be able to save a life!