ANNAPOLIS, MD Governor Martin O’Malley today unveiled new data on overdose deaths occurring in the first half of 2014. Under Governor O’Malley’s leadership, the state has committed to drive down overdose deaths by 20 percent by 2015 and has added drug and alcohol overdose deaths to the Administration’s 16 strategic goals.
Overdose deaths represent one of the most compelling public health challenges facing the nation. Locally, here in Maryland, there were more overdose deaths than traffic fatalities in 2013. As one of the strategies to address the overdose epidemic in Maryland, Governor O’Malley signed an executive order establishing the Overdose Prevention Council just last month. The Council will advise and assist in establishing an unprecedented effort among multiple State agencies to reduce the number of fatal and non-fatal overdoses in Maryland.
“The Overdose Council represents a new level of coordination, data collection, analysis, and information sharing among State agencies. Together, as One Maryland, we’re breaking down silos to collect up-to-date statistics, better target resources and empower citizens to combat this epidemic and save lives,” said Governor O’Malley. “With this data guiding us, we will continue to fight to keep Maryland families and communities safe while also developing innovative strategies to reduce the number of overdose deaths in Maryland.”
The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene released a report that contains updated overdose intoxication data for the first quarter of 2014 and two data briefs. The report and data briefs shows that from January to March 2014 there were 252 total overdose deaths, a 33 percent increase from the same time last year. The increase is largely driven by a rise in the number of deaths related to fentanyl-laced heroin since last fall, which coincides with trends reported by states up and down the East Coast. The data briefs also show an increase in heroin-related emergency department visits from 2008 to 2013.
To combat the rise of opioid overdoses, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and Maryland State Police have launched a new initiative to train and equip Maryland State Troopers with naloxone, a life-saving medication that can safely and effectively reverse opioid overdoses. As of July 1, 2014, the State Police has collaborated with local health officers in Cecil County, Allegany County, and Somerset County to participate in the effort where troopers, along with county and municipal police officers, will be trained and equipped with Naloxone.
“Our goal is to train and equip each of our patrol troopers with this life saving medication,” Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Marcus L. Brown said. “As first responders, our troopers have the potential for saving lives by providing prompt treatment to overdose victims. We will also support the state’s efforts in the overdose prevention public awareness campaign. Our 22 barrack commanders are already informing citizens in each county of the increase in overdose deaths, the fact that no region of the state is immune, and that help is available to anyone by dialing 211 to locate the closest treatment resources.”
The press conference today continues the “Governing for Results” series -- a statewide effort to promote the O’Malley-Brown Administration’s 16 strategic goals and highlight Maryland’s progress in the areas of opportunity (jobs and schools), sustainability, public safety, and health. Kicked off in early June, events will continue over the next several months and will chronicle some of the different strategies the Administration is using to make Maryland a safer, healthier place with more jobs and opportunity for all Marylanders.
6 comments:
So what good does that do if the county council and executive and city mayor and council won't give police agencies and state's attorney's office what they need for a game changer around heroine in Salisbury/Wicomico. None of us are safe until the gangs and heroine dealers are afraid to do business here.
A large percentage of drug and alcohol abusers suffer from various mental health issues, thus they look for drugs to be in their happy place.
It's been at least 2 years since Obama declared that he was going to address mental illness, that was just after the mass shooting in Aurora Colorado.
Many of these kids involved in mass murders were taking, or had taken anti-depressant drugs. That in itself doesn't justify their actions, however, nobody is addressing the root cause either.
Big Pharmacy warns those who take their meds, of side effects including suicide, why don't big pharm just admit those same drugs can cause side effects such as homicide? If their claims suggest one may want to kill themselves, why do they exclude that one may also do harm to others?
@10:40am It's been at least 2 years since Obama declared that he was going to address mental illness, that was just after the mass shooting in Aurora Colorado.
Did Obama actually make that declaration himself?
All Obama has been doing is Fundraising for the Democrat Party. Do you remember Benghazi? Four Americans were being murdered by his Muslim friends and he was more concerned about going to bed so he could be rested up for a fundraiser put on by a couple of black musical thugs.
Border Crisis and Obama is attending a vacation and a fundraiser.
Recent fundraiser and a pregnant woman tries crossing the street to get to the hospital and she is denied access because the road was blocked off for his motorcade taking him to a fundraiser.
Every Democrat and RINO who voted for Obama is to blame for these murders and illegal alien crossings. 3,000 of those illegals are murderers and sex offenders. They rape and murder and get away with it because they are future Democrat voters.
Obama is now the Fundraiser-In-Chief.
12:14 If you comprehend my statement you should know he made that claim 2 years ago. The democrats always try to create more gun laws from tragedies similar to these mass shootings, this was the mantra to deny people with mental illness, firearms. First mental illness needs to be defined, if somebody takes Prozac for depression, should they be denied the right to own a firearm? I think I'm on your side of most of these issues, you should take a deep breathe before you spew your foot from your mouth!
To drive it down by 20% WTF!
Try driving down to 100% Idiot Democrat.
Under governor OweMalley "leadership"/hardship on Maryland working families and youth by increasing more than 40 fees and taxes, including another tax on Alcohol and Tobacco. It is no suprise to see so many to fall in deppresion and turn to drugs, leading to spike in Overdose Intoxication. Good Job, OweMalley, Maryland Job Killer #1
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