An important and timely program, Battling Addiction on the Eastern Shore, will be presented at 7 pm on Wednesday, February 27 at 26 West Dover Street, Easton. Sponsored by the Talbot County Democratic Forum, this program is free and open to the public.
Everyone knows someone whose life has been impacted by addiction. Maryland is among the top 5 states hit with the opioid crisis, and became the first state to declare a State of Emergency on March 1, 2017. $10 million was allocated over 5 years for prevention, treatment, and enforcement, and the Start Talking Maryland Act required our schools to offer drug education.
Every county in Maryland suffered at least 4 deaths from opioid-related causes in 2017, and Wicomico County suffered the most opioid-related deaths on Delmarva. Talbot County saw a decrease in all drug and alcohol-related deaths in 2018, but the Maryland Behavioral Health Administration also reported that the number of fentanyl-related deaths increased from 3 to 6.
Empathy, awareness, and treatment options are improving people’s lives and changing the course of this epidemic. Talbot County’s Sheriff Joe Gamble responded with Talbot Goes Purple, a program increasing community awareness. Members of the Talbot County Health Department and Sheriff Gamble will be discussing the impact of addiction upon our community, local treatment options, community initiatives, and peer support opportunities.
Join us on Wednesday, February 27. For more information, email [email protected].
Write a Letter to the Editor on this Article
We encourage readers to offer their point of view on this article by submitting the following form. Editing is sometimes necessary and is done at the discretion of the editorial staff.