OVERDOSE AWARENESS WEEK & NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH

 (Salisbury, MD) – Governor Larry Hogan today issued a statewide proclamation declaring the week of Sunday, August 30th, to Saturday, September 5th, to be Overdose Awareness Week in Maryland. This week also aligns with the launch of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Recovery Month.

The observances of Overdose Awareness Week and National Recovery Month aim to promote the prevention and overdose deaths and the belief that prevention works, treatment is effective, and people recover from mental and/or substance use disorders.

“I am proud to stand with Governor Larry Hogan to recognize Overdose Awareness Week,” Wicomico County Executive Bob Culver said. “I urge all citizens who are struggling with addictions to seek help, and take advantage of available resources. I encourage them to wear silver between August 30th and September 5th to show their support for Overdose Awareness Week.”

In 2014, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) reported 1,039 drug- and alcohol-related overdose deaths in the state. “Mental and/or substance use disorders exist throughout the state, including our own community. It’s imperative that individuals in Wicomico County understand how to seek help,” said Lori Brewster, Health Officer for Wicomico County.

During Overdose Awareness Week and throughout the month of September which is also National Recovery Month, Wicomico County will host the following awareness activities:

·         Social Media Campaign: Promoting local addiction and mental health resources via the Wicomico County Health Department and Drug Free Wicomico Facebook and Twitter pages.

·         Naloxone Training:  September 8, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. at the Wicomico County Library.

·         Candlelight Vigil: Date/location TBD (planned for the week of September 14, 2015).

·         211 “Save a Life” Campaign: Emergency contact cards will be distributed to all high school students and posters will be distributed to all Wicomico County middle and high schools.

·         “Don’t Tag Along” Campaign: Continued promotion about preventing opioid misuse and abuse across Wicomico County.

For more information about, Overdose Awareness Week or National Recovery Month activities in Wicomico County, contact Cynthia Shifler at 410-219-7544. For more information on the tools Maryland is using to battle our region’s substance abuse epidemic, visit DHMH’s website at www.dhmh.maryland.gov.