Despite vigorous efforts that include the declaration of a state of emergency, spending over half a billion dollars, and widespread support from state and local stakeholders, Maryland continues to be plagued by a heroin and opioid epidemic. Governor Larry Hogan addressed the issue on WBAL NewsRadio 1090, saying that the state is taking an ‘all hands on deck’ approach in order to fight the epidemic.

According to WBAL NewsRadio 1090,

“This one is even more deadly than any other emergency we have ever seen. And it is more long lasting,” says Hogan.

The money the state has spent has gone to additional treatment beds for addicts, to help law enforcement, supplies of the opioid reversal drug Narcan and education programs to prevent people from using drugs. Hogan says the state has doubled the number of treatment beds.

The state also remains focused on going after the dealers who pushing the drugs on the streets and killing people. Hogan says one way that has been accomplished is by toughening laws and beefing up law enforcement.

Hogan says he would like to see President Donald Trump declare a federal state of emergency on opioid abuse. “He (President Trump) does think it is a federal emergency but he didn’t declare it like we have and that’s the next step I am hoping they will take,” says Hogan.

Heroin and opioid deaths continue to skyrocket in Maryland and across the country. The crisis has been exacerbated by the deadly combination of heroin and fentanyl,  a powerful synthetic opioid analgesic that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent.

Read the full article on WBAL NewsRadio 1090 for more information.