MD Sees First Decline In Opioid-Related Deaths In A Decade

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Statewide efforts to curb substance abuse and opioid-related fatalities — from hundreds of thousands of dollars to counties to provide more treatment for addicts to training on how to respond to an overdose — have produced some results, according to state health authorities. A 2019 second quarter report shows that Maryland has experienced its first six-month decline in the total number of opioid-related fatalities in at least a decade.

The most notable decline in total drug and alcohol-related intoxication deaths from 2018 to 2019 for January through July occurred in Anne Arundel County with 38 fewer deaths, followed by Baltimore County with 28 fewer deaths. Carroll County reported 25 fewer deaths in 2019 for January through June compared to 2018, followed by Prince George's County with 17 fewer deaths in that same timeframe, according to the Maryland Department of Health and Opioid Operational Command Center.

In the first two quarters of 2019, there were 1,182 total unintentional intoxication deaths reported in the state, an 11.3 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2018. Of that total, 89.7 percent (1,060) were opioid-related deaths, primarily attributable to fentanyl. Opioid-related deaths declined by 11.1 percent.

“Though the continued decline in fatal overdoses is welcome news, the heroin and opioid epidemic remains a crisis and we will continue to respond with all the tools at our disposal,” said Gov. Larry Hogan, in a news release. “The fight against heroin and opioid overdoses has torn apart communities and families throughout our state and across the nation. Together, we can and we must do more in order to save the lives of thousands of Marylanders.”

Heroin-related deaths continued to decline statewide, decreasing 14.9 percent through June 2019 compared with the same period in 2018. Prescription opioid-related deaths declined by 3.5 percent in the first six months of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018.

Fentanyl continues to be the deadliest substance, with 962 fentanyl-related deaths occurring in the first six months of 2019. This represents a 7.8 percent decrease from the same period last year. Fentanyl was involved in 90.8 percent of opioid-related deaths during this period.

Deaths related to cocaine, the third most prevalent drug involved with overdose deaths, declined as well. Comparing the periods of January through June 2018 and 2019, the number of cocaine-related deaths decreased 16.6 percent. The increase in cocaine-related deaths over the last several years can be attributed to cocaine combined with opioids, which were found in approximately 90 percent of cocaine-related deaths so far in 2019.

In 2017, Hogan became the first governor in the nation to declare a state of emergency in response to the heroin, opioid, and fentanyl crisis. The Hogan administration has implemented a number of policies related to the opioid epidemic, including the expansion of the state's prescription drug
monitoring program and the provision of millions in grant funding to local health departments and treatment programs. It also established the Maryland Heroin and Opioid Emergency Task Force and the Inter-Agency Heroin and Opioid Coordinating Council.

The second quarter fatal overdose data report can be found here and past quarterly reports here. Marylanders struggling with a substance use disorder can find help at BeforeItsTooLateMD.org, by calling 211 and pressing 1 or by texting their zipcode to 898-211.

Where to Get Help in Maryland

Maryland residents who need help finding substance abuse treatment resources should visit the Department of Health website for links to substance abuse treatment facilities. Or call the Maryland Crisis Hotline, which provides 24/7 support, at 1-800-422-0009. Marylanders grappling with a substance use disorder can find help at BeforeItsTooLateMD.org.

If you know of someone who could use treatment for substance abuse, treatment facilities can be located by location and program characteristics online.

See the full report.

See more:

• Opioid Use To Blame In Increasing Number Of Fatal MD Crashes
• County Heath Department Offering Opioid Overdose Training
• Nearly $170K In Grants Help Target Opioid Abuse In Harford County
• New Signs In Baltimore County Warn Of Opioid Crisis
• Opioid Overdose Deaths In Maryland Decrease From 2018
• Nearly $163K Awarded To Montgomery County To Fight Opioid Abuse
• Baltimore County Offers Opioid Overdose Response Training
• Opioid Lawsuits: What A Settlement Could Mean For Anne Arundel Co
• Nearly $300K Awarded To Anne Arundel County To Fight Opioid Abuse
• Maryland Health Department Launches Online Opioid Overdose Tool
• Opioid Crisis: 71M Pain Pills Flooded Harford County In 7 Years
• Nearly $170K In Grants Help Target Opioid Abuse In Harford County
• Opioid Lawsuits: What A Settlement Could Mean For Howard County