Gardner Announces New Actions, Expanded Services & Resources to Combat Heroin & Opioid Crisis

County Executive Jan Gardner today provided hope in the heroin and opioid crisis by announcing new actions, expanded services and resources available in Frederick County.

“Our community cares deeply and is working hard to make a difference,” commented Executive Gardner. “In the midst of this crisis, people need to know that there is help and there is hope.”

Executive Gardner highlighted the following information discussed at a recent meeting of the Heroin Consortium, which she established in 2015 so that those who work on this issue can communicate and share ideas:

• The Maryland Good Samaritan Law protects people from being arrested, charged or prosecuted who seek drug addiction assistance during emergency medical situations or who help others when a life is at risk. Learn more at www.MdDestinationRecovery.org.
• Frederick County Public Schools will have the overdose reversal drug Narcan in every school and is working to raise awareness among students, faculty and staff. The school system can provide a referral for a free substance abuse disorder assessment by the Health Department. Also, a new curriculum about the dangers of opioids will be in place when the 2018-2019 school year begins, so students will learn about awareness and prevention.
• New outreach efforts: The Health Department has launched “Stay in the Know” (www.StayInTheKnow.org) on prevention and education as a companion to its “Take Back My Life” (www.TakeBackMyLife.org) campaign featuring testimonies from local residents. The department also provides help through the peer recovery program and detention center programs and is considering a syringe services exchange.

In addition, a new AmeriCorps grant will provide additional volunteer outreach efforts through their “Conquering Opiate Abuse Together” program. Lastly, Frederick County Public Libraries offers access to resources through its digital service, OverDrive.

In September, National Recovery Month, many events and activities are planned to raise awareness and provide help. For more information, contact the Health Department at 301-600-1755 or visit www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/HealthDept.