Md. leaders discuss next steps in tackling opioid epidemic

In Maryland,  the fight against the opioid epidemic continues.

Earlier this year, Governor Larry Hogan declared a state a emergency for the opioid crisis, and Tuesday
local leaders met at Salisbury University to discuss solutions to continue addressing the problem.

"This is a crisis, this is an emergency," says Clay Stamp, the Senior Emergency Management Advisor to the Governor.

On Tuesday, Maryland leaders met to discuss the latest on this statewide crisis.

"1,049 people have died so far this year, an average of 5.6 people a day are dying," says Stamp.

During Tuesday's opioid and addiction symposium, state leaders discussed their next steps in addressing the crisis, starting with implementing programs statewide that have been successful in other counties.

One example is the COAT program in Wicomico County, which looks to intervene before the addict becomes a statistic.

"COAT is the community Outreach for addictions team, which began June 2016. We do outreach to individuals who have overdosed, and their families to try to link them up with treatment," says Lori Brewster, the Health Officer for Wicomico County.

Maryland leaders also want to make prevention a priority and educate younger generations of the effects of addiction.

"At the end of the day, in order to turn this ship if you will, it's going to be education through prevention . We have to educate our school children, and protect them, with their decision making," says Stamp.