'Shocking Heroin Facts Every Harford County Parent Should Know'

Parents and concerned community members will get schooled on the ins and outs of heroin, a drug that local officials say is increasingly affecting Harford County students, through a series of workshops offered by law enforcement, health officials and the public school system.

“Heroin does not affect just one zip code,” Harford County Public Schools Superintendent Barbara Canavan said in a statement. “Heroin is a predator and has the potential to affect every household in every part of the county.”

The drug costs as little as $8; children as young as 11 have reported using heroin in Harford County; and and it is becoming increasingly deadly as it is mixed with other drugs like Fentanyl, according to a statement from the county executive’s office.

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A series of hour-long sessions on the topic of “Shocking Heroin Facts Every Harford County Parent Should Know” will be offered at area middle schools from late September through early November in a joint effort among Harford County Public Schools, the Harford County Council of PTAs, the county’s Office of Drug Control Policy, Sheriff’s Office and the Harford County Health Department.

“I strongly encourage parents, members of the community, and community leaders to attend one of our community meetings to become better informed...” Canavan said.

Students, their parents, and all concerned citizens are invited to attend, where officials will offer information about the drug, addiction, symptoms, treatment and updates on Harford County’s progress in addressing the heroin problem.

All presentations will start at 6:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, Sept. 30—Patterson Mill Middle/High School
• Wednesday, Oct. 7—Fallston Middle School
• Tuesday, Oct. 13—Aberdeen Middle School
• Thursday, Oct. 22—North Harford Middle School
• Wednesday, Oct. 28—Edgewood Middle School
• Thursday, Nov. 5—Southampton Middle School

“I urge all Harford County parents to learn the shocking facts about heroin, because prevention is our best defense,” County Executive Barry Glassman said in a statement. “County leaders are working together to do what we can, but no government program is as powerful as parents talking to their children.”