Maryland Tops Nation In Opioid-Related ER Visits: Report

Maryland has the highest rate in the U.S. of emergency department visits related to opioids, a new study says. The report released Tuesday evaluates the rate of ER visits and inpatient stays per 100,000 people by state.

Maryland had the highest rate of emergency department visits related to opioids, the study showed. Arkansas and Iowa, on the other hand, had the lowest rates.

The national rate of opioid-related ER visits was 0.178 in 2014, the year the study took into consideration; in Maryland during that year, the opioid-related rate of emergency visits was 0.40495.

The report was compiled by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, a data-driven branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that is based in Rockville. (Get Patch’s daily newsletter and real-time news alerts, or like us on Facebook.)

In addition to having the highest rate overall of emergency department visits for opioids, Maryland in particular had the highest rate nationally among 45 to 64-year-olds, at a rate of 398.3 per 100,000, or 0.3983 percent.

The opioid issue has sparked state officials to take life-saving measures this year.

Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency in Maryland in March after receiving data showing the number of deaths related to opioids in 2016 exceeded 2,000, up from 1,089 the previous year.

Maryland's deputy secretary for public health services issued a standing order that gives the public access to two doses of naloxone; it is an antidote for opioid overdoses that previously required training and a prescription to obtain.

The Maryland Good Samaritan Law, which protects users from arrest for possession of controlled dangerous substances and calling 911, has also encouraged people with a heroin user to call 911 if a user has overdosed.

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According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's new study, the highest rate of opioid-related emergency department visits in all states was among people 25 to 44 years old.

The highest rates of opioid-related inpatient stays overall in the U.S. was among people ages 25 to 64.

Read the report.

Where to Get Help in Maryland

Maryland residents who need help finding substance abuse treatment can visit the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's website or call the 24/7 Maryland Crisis Hotline at 1-800-422-0009.

If you know of someone who needs help, search treatment facilities by location and program characteristics. Treatment resources include MdDestinationRecovery.org and BeforeItsTooLateMD.org.

File photo.