3 Heroin Briefings to Alert Community About Latest Findings in Harford County

BEL AIR, MD — Heroin has been found in every zip code in Harford County, according to administrators, who are offering a series of briefings on the drug this month.

The public is invited to attend any or all of three hourlong sessions this October, which aim to educate people about why opioids are addictive, how heroin and prescription drugs are related and what is happening with fentanyl and opioids in Harford County, officials said.

There have been 33 fatal overdoses in Harford County, where a total of 204 suspected heroin-related overdoses have been recorded in 2016, according to Cristie Kahler, spokeswoman for the Harford County Sheriff's Office; those numbers were current as of Monday, Oct. 3.

Officials said 27 people died from heroin last year in Harford County, meaning the 2016 total has already surpassed all of 2015, with three months left in the year.

"Over the next month, we will be presenting critical information in high schools throughout the county," Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said in a statement. "The time to get involved is now. To end the heroin epidemic that has descended on our county, we all must work together in true partnership. Everyone has a role..." To that end, county school officials, administrators, drug control policymakers, law enforcement officials and health authorities are presenting three workshops in October to help stem the tide of addiction:

• Wednesday, Oct. 5, at Edgewood High School
• Thursday, Oct. 13, at C. Milton Wright High School
• Monday, Oct. 24, at North Harford High School

“Every parent should attend one of these presentations,” Harford County Council PTA President Sandra Monaco said. “This is not a repeat of last year’s information. Instead, attendees will learn about the newest research available on heroin addiction. We all need to know what we can do to keep our kids safe.”

For the first time in county history, Harford this year put money toward combating the heroin problem specifically, setting aside $100,000. It launched a public awareness campaign and put programs in place to support those moving from active addiction into recovery, winning national recognition for innovation. Each week, the sheriff's office has been updating signs outside its offices to reflect the number of fatal and nonfatal overdoses in Harford County.

"County leaders are working closely every day to eradicate addiction in Harford County, " County Executive Barry Glassman said in a statement, "but no government program is as powerful as parents talking to their children."

The county will host three upcoming workshops, all of which will start at 6:30 p.m.: Wednesday, Oct. 5, at Edgewood High School; Thursday, Oct. 13, at C. Milton Wright High School; and Monday, Oct. 24, at North Harford High School.

For more information, contact the Harford County Office of Drug Control Policy at 410-638-3333.

Demonstrators in Bel Air held a peaceful protest in September against drugs, called the Human Rope to Stop the Dope. Photo courtesy of Harford County Government.