2019 ANNUAL REPORT SHOWS DECLINE IN OVERDOSE DEATHS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jennifer Johnson
(410) 219-3947 (Office)
(410) 251-5379 (Cell)
2019 ANNUAL REPORT SHOWS DECLINE IN OVERDOSE DEATHS
(March 31, 2020, Salisbury, MD) On March 25, 2020, the Opioid Operational Command Center and the Maryland Department of Health released their 2019 annual report which documented a decline in statewide overdose fatalities compared to the previous year. This is the first time in over a decade that the number of overdose fatalities declined in the state of Maryland. It’s important to note that statewide opioid related overdose deaths declined from 2,143 deaths in 2018 to 2,090 deaths in 2019.
Locally, Wicomico County saw a decline in opioid related overdose deaths in 2019, totaling 29 lives lost due to opioid related overdoses. This is a decrease of one person compared to the 30 documented overdose deaths in 2018. Health Officer Lori Brewster reports, “Even though we saw a decrease in opioid related overdose deaths, one death is too many, and we will continue our efforts to address the epidemic here in Wicomico County in hopes that more lives will be saved moving forward.”
Wicomico County continues to locally address the epidemic through prevention, treatment, and enforcement efforts. Since opening on August 1, 2019, the Wicomico County Safe Station has successfully linked over 140 individuals to the treatment and recovery services of their choice. Naloxone training also continues to be a priority for the county with the hope that lives will be saved by utilization of this opioid-overdose reversal medication. Although the health department cannot provide face-to-face Naloxone trainings at this time, Wicomico County residents may still order Naloxone by visiting http://naloxoneforall.org/maryland.
If you or someone you love is struggling with a substance use disorder, you can find help at BeforeItsTooLateMD.org or by calling 211 and pressing 1. You can also contact the Community Outreach Addiction Team (COAT) at 443-783-6875. For more information on what’s being done locally to fight the opioid epidemic visit the Wicomico County Health Department’s website at www.wicomicohealth.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram (WicomicoHealth) or Twitter (@WicomicoHealth).
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