Havre de Grace To Sue Opioid Manufacturers: Report

HAVRE DE GRACE, MD — The city of Havre de Grace is reportedly planning to join a list of jurisdictions that have launched lawsuits against opioid manufacturers. Around the country government officials have accused companies of malfeasance for their involvement in the manufacture, distribution and administering of opioids.

The U.S. Justice Department pledged to support local officials in hundreds of lawsuits against manufacturers and distributors, during an opioid conference in Florida in February. The move was part of a broader effort to more aggressively target prescription-drug makers for their role in the opioid epidemic, according to Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

The Justice Department maintains that the federal government has borne substantial costs as a result of the crisis that claimed more than 64,000 lives in 2016.

The Havre de Grace City Council adopted a resolution at its recent meeting to retain the services of law firms to file suit on a contingent basis, meaning they will only charge for their work if the city recovers damages, The Aegis reported.

It was a "win-win" situation, Councilman David Glenn said of the lawsuit, according to The Aegis.

There were more than 400 heroin-related overdoses in Harford County in 2017, with at least 79 that were fatal.

Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said that 41 people have lost their lives to suspected heroin-related overdoses as of June 13, speaking on "Inside Harford County," a program from the Harford Cable Network. A total of 191 overdoses have been reported so far in 2018 in Harford County.

"We're down about 5 percent this year," Gahler said, compared with this time in 2017. Antidotes like narcan are more readily available in the communities, and it is possible that some people are not reporting overdoses to emergency officials that they are reversing independently, he added.

"Time will let us know if we're on the right path," Gahler said.

• 100 Suspected Heroin Overdoses In Harford County Before April 2018: Sheriff
• Miami Sues Opioid Manufacturers and Distributors Over Epidemic
• To Combat Heroin, Harford Sheriff Unveils H.O.P.E. House

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

Patch editor Paul Scicchitano contributed to this report.

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