Maryland develops overdose response program

The number of drug and alcohol-related deaths in Maryland increased in 2015 for the fifth year in a row, reaching an all-time high of 1259 deaths and representing a 21% increase over the number of deaths in 2014.

The Department of General Services Maryland Capitol Police joined the fight to combat the the opioid related drug overdoses, including those associated with heroin

The MCP teamed up with the Department of Health and mental hygiene in development of an overdose program that enables law enforcement personal to serve as first responders to  take lifesaving actions when encountering people suffering from an overdose.

With DHMH’s approval members of the Capitol Police Training Unit were certified to train other MCP personnel in the administration of Naloxone. Naloxne is a prescription medication that blocks or reverses the effects of opioid overdose. This drug can reverse the effects in a matter of seconds and stabilize the victim until they can receive additional medical attention

47 ABC spoke with Heidi McNeily of Worcester county warriors against opioid addiction,  a local group on the shore that’s dedicated to fighting back against

“Its now basically like using flonase,” said McNeely. “It’s a little nasal sprayer that goes in each nostril and you know my feeling is, everybody should have it. You never know when you’re going to be in a situation where you can save somebodies life.”

Nearly 33 thousand people, primarily law enforcement personnel, have been trained to administer Naloxone through DHMH’s Overdose Response Program

For more information on this training visit: http://news.maryland.gov/dgs/2016/10/04/department-of-general-services-maryland-capitol-police-develops-overdose-response-program/

or for more information on Worcestor Warriors Against Opioid addiction visit their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WorcesterCountyWarriors/