Opioid Overdose Deaths In Maryland Decrease From 2018

BALTIMORE, MD — Efforts to curb opioid overdoses across Maryland seem to be working, based upon the 2019 first quarter figures released by the Maryland Department of Health and the Opioid Operational Command Center. The data was gathered by state agencies and Maryland’s 24 opioid intervention teams.

During the first three months of 2019, there were 577 total unintentional intoxication deaths, a 15 percent decrease when compared to the same period in 2018. Of that total, 515 (89 percent) were opioid-related deaths, primarily attributable to fentanyl. Opioid-related deaths declined by 14.3 percent from the same time period in 2018.

Every local jurisdiction in Maryland except Dorchester, Garrett and Somerset counties, had opioid-related fatalities in the first quarter of 2019. Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Anne Arundel County experienced the highest number of fatalities, which collectively accounted for 66.2 percent of all opioid-related deaths in Maryland in the first quarter of 2019.

According to the OOCC report, Anne Arundel County saw a decrease in opioid-related deaths from 68 to 45 in the first quarter of 2019. Baltimore County saw a decline in deaths from 103 to 72. Harford County saw 28 opioid-related deaths in the first quarter of 2018, which dropped by 10 cases to 18 for the same timeframe in 2019. Prince George's County had a decline in deaths from 20 in the first quarter of 2018 to 14 during the first quarter of 2019. Montgomery County saw a decline of only one case from 20 opioid-related deaths in the first quarter of 2018 to 19 in the first quarter of 2019.

Heroin-related deaths continued to decline, decreasing 23 percent in the first quarter of 2019 compared with the same period in 2018. Prescription opioid-related deaths declined by 16 percent in the first three months of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018.

“We’ve seen a decrease in deaths during this first quarter and continue to work diligently to combat this epidemic,” said Maryland Department of Health Secretary Robert R. Neall in a statement. “Treatment and prevention options are available 24/7 for those who want it. They can dial 211 and press 1 to find assistance. Our goal is to get support to everyone who needs help as soon as possible."

According to the report, fentanyl continues to be the deadliest substance, with 474 fentanyl-related deaths occurring in the first quarter alone, an eight percent decrease from the same time period last year. Fentanyl was involved in 92 percent of opioid-related deaths during this period.

Cocaine-related deaths, the third most prevalent drug involved with overdose deaths in Maryland, also declined. When comparing January through March 2018 to January through March 2019, the number of cocaine-related deaths decreased 21 percent. The increase in cocaine-related deaths over the last several years can be attributed to cocaine combined with opioids, which were found in 89 percent of cocaine-related deaths so far in 2019.

“We also are encouraged by the fact that 16 of Maryland’s 24 local jurisdictions experienced declines in the number of opioid-related fatalities during the first quarter of 2019. We have never witnessed so many counties reporting declines in the number of opioid-related fatalities,” said Steve Schuh, executive director of OOCC, in a statement. “But the heroin and opioid crisis in Maryland is by no means over. More than 500 of our friends, family members, and neighbors lost their lives to opioid use disorder during the first quarter of 2019. That’s why we continue to work every day with our federal, state, local, and community partners to save the lives of our fellow Marylanders.”

The first quarter fatal overdose data report can be viewed here. The OOCC’s Quarterly Report can be found here. Here are some key numbers from the report:

• Anne Arundel County had 91 cocaine-related deaths in 2018 and 16 in the first quarter of 2019
• Baltimore City saw 389 cocaine-related deaths in 2018 and 96 in the first quarter of 2019
• Baltimore County saw 132 cocaine-related ddeaths in 2018 and 29 in the first quarter of 2019
• Harford County saw 40 cocaine-related deaths in 2018 and 5 in the first quarter of 2019
• Montgomery County saw 18 cocaine-related deaths in 2018 and 5 in the first quarter of 2019
• Prince George's County saw 31 cocaine-related deaths in 2018 and 11 in the first quarter of 2019
• Anne Arundel County had 36 opioid intoxication deaths in 2018 and 6 in the first quarter of 2019
• Baltimore City had 128 opioid intoxication deaths in 2018 and 42 in the first quarter of 2019
• Baltimore County had 71 opioid intoxication deaths in 2018 and 13 in the first quarter of 2019
• Harford County saw 19 opioid intoxication deaths in 2018 and 2 in the first quarter of 2019
• Montgomery County saw 16 opioid intoxication deaths in 2018 and 3 in the first quarter 2019
• Prince George's County saw 11 opioid intoxication deaths in 2018 and 3 in the first quarter of 2019

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, search by location and program characteristics online.

Signs of Overdose:

• Person is not responsive.
• Fingertips or lips turn blue or gray.
• 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 two to three 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.