Spotlight on Queen Anne’s Local Substance Abuse Prevention Efforts

On Wednesday, September 25, Queen Anne’s County welcomed Maryland’s Special Secretary of Overdose Response, Emily Keller, for a comprehensive tour to observe the county’s efforts in combatting substance abuse and supporting recovery.

Special Secretary Keller visited the Queen Anne’s County Department of Health and met with local addiction recovery leaders. The Peer Support team shared their efforts, including work in the detention center, walk-in services, and one-on-one peer support. This summer, they distributed 600 Narcan kits, providing life-saving resources. Peer specialists, who have personal recovery experience, offer unique insights into addiction challenges.

The team supports the county’s Problem-Solving Court but highlighted the need for treatment centers and recovery homes. They also offer medication-assisted treatment (MAT) referrals, harm reduction programs, and community education. The “One Box” initiative, which provides overdose response kits, has successfully saved lives.

At the Board of Education, Keller learned about the Opioid Education and Prevention Program’s success, including life skills training and a Drug-Free Student Ambassadors program.

She also visited the Chamber of Commerce to discuss the QAC Goes Purple campaign and its outreach efforts. The visit ended at Old Love Point Park, where part of the Cross Island Trail is dedicated to opioid awareness.

Jim Moran, President of the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners, highlighted the success of the county’s collaborative outreach efforts, saying, “Since the launch of QAC Goes Purple in 2018, our work has helped to reduce overdoses and fatalities. Our goal is to continue educating our community, particularly our youth, to prevent addiction before it begins.”

For more information on the initiatives discussed during the tour:

See the full press release for more details on the tour