MD Overdose Deaths Hit Record Numbers In 2017, Early 2018

BALTIMORE, MD — Opioid addiction continues to kill Marylanders at a record pace, with fentanyl driving the increase in overall overdoses in 2017 and in the first quarter of 2018, according to new statistics. An increase of fentanyl mixed with cocaine accounts for the increase in drug-related deaths, while the number of fatal heroin overdoses in Maryland appears to be decreasing after increasing exponentially every year since 2011.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is more potent than heroin and contact with just a few grains of the powder can be fatal. The Maryland Department of Health today released data for unintentional drug and alcohol-related intoxication deaths for the entirety of 2017 and the first quarter of 2018. Overall, the state had 2,089 overdose deaths in 2016 compared with 2,280 such deaths in 2017; and in the first three months of 2018 a total of 653 Maryland residents died from overdose.

“While Maryland is starting to see a decline in heroin-related deaths, fentanyl-related deaths continue to rise in staggering numbers,” said Maryland Department of Health Secretary Robert R. Neall in a news release Thursday. “In the first three months of 2018 alone, we’ve seen 500 fentanyl-related deaths. We’re asking those with a substance use disorder to immediately seek treatment and for more individuals to learn how to use and carry naloxone.”

During 2017, there were 2,282 drug and alcohol-related intoxication deaths in Maryland. Of those deaths, 2,009 were opioid-related. Fentanyl-related deaths continue to rise, increasing from 1,119 in 2016 to 1,594 in 2017. Cocaine-related deaths are also up from 464 in 2016 to 691 in 2017. The number of heroin-related and prescription drug-related deaths dropped slightly in 2017 when compared to 2016.

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Preliminary data from the first three months of 2018 indicate that there were 653 unintentional drug and alcohol-related intoxication deaths in Maryland. There were 579 opioid-related deaths, 500 of which involved fentanyl. Heroin-related deaths fell from 291 during the same period in 2017 to 236 in 2018, while prescription drug-related deaths remained flat.

Elected leaders in cities including Bel Air and Havre de Grace, as well as officials in Anne Arundel and Prince George's counties, have filed lawsuits in recent months against the drug companies that make and sell opioids, seeking reimbursement for the cost of handling the addiction epidemic.

Around the country government officials have accused companies of malfeasance for their involvement in the manufacture, distribution and administering of opioids. The U.S. Justice Department pledged to support local officials in hundreds of lawsuits against drug manufacturers and distributors, during an opioid conference in Florida in February. The crisis claimed more than 64,000 lives nationwide in 2016.

The city of Baltimore had the most alcohol and drug fatalities in 2017 with 761 deaths, followed by Baltimore County with 367 fatalities, Anne Arundel County with 214 deaths, Prince George's County with 166 deaths, Montgomery County with 116 fatalities and Harford County with 101 deaths.

See the full state report here. Past reports can be found on this page.

SEE ALSO:

• Town Of Bel Air Filing Lawsuit Against Opioid Manufacturers
• Maryland Has One Of Highest Overdose Death Rates: CDC
• Lawsuit Against 14 Opioid Companies Filed By Montgomery County
• PG County Suing The Entire Opioid Industry
• Havre de Grace To Sue Opioid Manufacturers: Report
• Anne Arundel First MD County To Sue Doctors, Opioid Makers
• Suspected Heroin Trafficker Indicted After Harford Probe

Among the latest efforts to combat the epidemic, the state's Prescription Drug Monitoring Program collects information on drugs that contain controlled substances and are dispensed to patients. As of July 1, 2018, providers were required to check the data before writing a prescription.

"Every day, numerous state agencies and other stakeholders are working together on the statewide response. We are seeing success on the prescriber side as hospitals and medical providers have been driving innovative solutions to reduce inappropriate prescribing," said Clay Stamp, executive director, Opioid Operational Command Center, in a statement. "Yet, we have to stay focused on and resolute in our three-pronged strategy – prevention and education, enforcement, and expanding access to treatment and recovery."

Maryland has expanded access to naloxone, a life-saving drug that can reverse opioid drug overdoses. A standing order allows pharmacies and hospitals to dispense naloxone to individuals who may be at risk of an overdose or anyone who may be able to help someone who overdoses. Naloxone safely and effectively reverses an overdose and has a low risk for adverse effects. Fentanyl and carfentanil may require multiple doses of naloxone to be administered to help victims overdosing on those substances.

SEE ALSO:

• Heroin Fatalities Up 185 Percent: Harford Sheriff
• 16 Opioid Overdoses, 3 Deaths In 24 Hours Across Anne Arundel County
• Maryland Opioid Epidemic: New Laws Tackle Addiction
• Heroin and Opioid Crisis Hits Record High in Maryland
• Heroin Crisis: Desperate Families Wonder If Anyone Cares
• Heroin Epidemic Escalates Across Maryland
• 3 Die from Heroin Overdoses in One Day: Harford Sheriff
• $3M Targeted at Fighting Maryland's Heroin Epidemic
• Heroin Addicts Dealt Hope By County Police Chief
• 'I Really Like Getting High': Anne Arundel Heroin User

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.

Signs of Overdose:

• Person is not responsive.
• Fingertips or lips turn blue or grey.
• Breathing is slow, shallow or has stopped.
• Person is gurgling or making snoring noises.

What can you do if you see an opioid overdose?

• Call 911.
• If you have naloxone, give the person naloxone and perform rescue breathing.
• If no response after 2-3 minutes, give a second dose of naloxone.
• Do not leave the person alone. Help will arrive.
• If the person starts to breathe or becomes more alert, lay the person in the recovery position; put the person slightly on the left side so that their body is supported by a bent knee with their face turned to the side and bottom arm reaching out to stabilize the position.

Remember the Good Samaritan Law – save a life!

• If you provide help or assist a person experiencing a medical emergency due to alcohol or drugs, you are criminally IMMUNE from being charged, arrested and prosecuted from certain crimes. (Ann. Code Md. CR §1-210)
• The police and the courts believe that saving a life is more important than a charge or an arrest.

How can I lower my risk of overdose?

• Carry naloxone with you at all times and inform others where it is.
• If you haven't used in a while, start slowly. You are at a high risk for overdose after leaving jail, prison or the hospital or after coming out of treatment.
• Avoid mixing substances.
• Be aware that drugs vary widely in purity and strength.
• Don't use alone. If you must use alone, let people know where you are, and never the lock the door.
• Check up on each other.
• Seek treatment.

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