100 Suspected Heroin Overdoses In Harford County: Sheriff

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — Nearly one quarter of suspected heroin overdoses so far this year have been fatal, according to the Harford County Sheriff's Office. Authorities reported the latest data this week.

There have been 100 suspected heroin-related overdoses, and of those 23 were fatal, the sheriff's office said. "It’s only March, yet we’ve already reached 100 suspected heroin related overdoses," authorities said in a statement on Monday, March 26.

There were two more deadly overdoses afterward that day, meaning there have been at least 25 fatalities and 102 overall overdoses related to heroin, according to The Aegis.

At the end of March 2017, there were 15 heroin-related deaths in Harford County, according to the Maryland Department of Health, compared with six in the first quarter 2016.

"This epidemic hasn’t eased its grip on our community," the sheriff's office said in a statement: "But we are doing everything we can to find and lock up those dealing death in our community and spread the word on how dangerous heroin is and what parents can do to help keep their children away from addiction."

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There were more than 400 heroin-related overdoses in Harford County in 2017, with at least 79 that were fatal; final numbers have not been released yet from the state.

Harford County reported 290 heroin-related overdoses, of which 56 were deadly, in all of 2016.

Opioids are the "greatest threat to public safety we are facing" in Harford County, Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler told The Aegis, adding: "The constant pain and suffering it causes cannot be measured in statistical data..."

Where To Get Help For Addiction

Those seeking treatment for addiction are encouraged to contact Addiction Connections Resource at 443-417-7810. The Jarrettsville-based nonprofit helps people navigate options for assistance, from therapists to halfway houses to treatment centers.

People can also use the treatment locator on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website 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 as well at BeforeItsTooLateMD.org.

There are Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings available locally as well as Nar-Anon and Al-Anon for family members.

Anyone in Maryland can get Naloxone without a prescription. This medication reverses the effect of an opioid overdose. Four Klein's ShopRite pharmacies are reportedly offering it for free until July 1. You can also get training and find out more about Naloxone from the Maryland Department of Health.

What Harford County Is Doing

Outreach efforts have been ongoing to educate the community about the deadly drug.

Harford County launched a public awareness campaign in 2016 to combat the heroin epidemic that includes these elements, among others:

• Billboards and public service announcements
• H.O.P.E. House, a mobile unit to help educate parents about signs of drug use (new in 2017)
• Naloxone trainings for community members to learn how to administer the overdose antidote
• Project Healthy Delivery, a program to help pregnant women with addiction
• Trainings on heroin for professionals, from health teachers to businesses
• Harford County Bar Foundation partnership to help addicts with legal issues
• Speaking tour to educate parents about the problem
• Recovery coaches and recovery coach coordinator to help addicts navigate job opportunities and support services after treatment

Video and still from the Harford County Sheriff's Office.