First Heroin-Related Fatality of 2017 in Harford County Reported

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — Authorities have been closely tracking heroin-related overdoses in Harford County, and they said the first casualty of 2017 came as the new year arrived.

"Sadly, minutes into 2017, the first loss of life was reported and already another family is in mourning," the Harford County Sheriff's Office reported.

The victim was a 35-year-old woman in Edgewood, according to Cristie Kahler, spokeswoman for the sheriff's office.

There were 54 deaths from heroin overdoses in 2016 in Harford County, officials said, almost twice as many as the previous year; there were 28 fatalities in 2015 believed to be related to heroin.

Overall in the state, Maryland saw an increase in heroin-related deaths as well. From January to September, Maryland recorded 1,468 deaths related to overdose, surpassing the 1,259 overdose deaths in all of 2015.

“This epidemic continues to cut across all demographics and communities,” Maryland Health Secretary Dennis R. Schrader said in a statement.

“All Marylanders need to know they can find treatment options for substance use disorders at MdDestinationRecovery.org," Schrader said. "To not seek help for a drug problem now is to risk death."

Harford County launched a public awareness campaign in 2016, among other initiatives to combat the heroin epidemic, winning national recognition for innovation. Each week, the sheriff's office updates signs outside its offices to reflect the number of fatal and nonfatal overdoses in Harford County.

With reporting from Patch editor Deb Belt.

• Heroin Drives Up Petty Theft in Harford County: Report
• Heroin Fatalities Climb in Harford County
• Harford Tallies Heroin Overdoses to Raise Awareness
• Overdose Deaths Take Record Toll in Maryland
• 3 Fatal Overdoses in First 3 Weeks of 2016: Harford Sheriff

Photo Credit: Harford County Sheriff's Office.