Carroll County sees a significant drop in overdose deaths.
According to a Baltimore Sun article, drug overdose deaths decreased nearly 26% in 2023 in Carroll County. This drop, detailed by the Maryland Department of Health, marks a continued downward trend that began in 2022 and stands in stark contrast to the 28% spike in overdose deaths the county experienced in 2021 during the height of COVID-19 pandemic isolation.
Health officials are cautiously optimistic, though they have not pinpointed a specific reason for the drop. However, several community efforts are making a positive impact. Carroll County Health Department highlighted vital initiatives aimed at curbing drug misuse, overdose, and fatality rates. One of the most significant changes is the health department’s increased distribution of naloxone, also known as the brand Narcan. This emergency medication is designed to reverse the effects of narcotic overdoses, and its availability has grown dramatically.
From the article:
“We distributed 9,532 doses in fiscal year 2024, a four-fold increase from fiscal year 2023. Peer support is available in more locations to help people work toward recovery. Additionally, our new Harm Reduction Program offers stigma-free opportunities for people to reduce drug-use risks,” said Susan Doyle, Health Officer, Carroll County Health Department.
The numbers for 2024 are also encouraging. In the first half of the year, Carroll County recorded eight overdose fatalities, compared to 18 during the same period in 2023. The Sheriff’s Office also reported a steep 80% drop in overdose deaths in July 2024 compared to the previous year. Data shows a total of 24 overdose deaths from September 2023 to August 2024, with opioid-related and fentanyl-related deaths remaining areas of concern.
Read the full Baltimore Sun article.
While challenges remain, Carroll County’s commitment to a multi-layered approach—focusing on education, access to life-saving interventions, and supportive recovery programs—shows that positive change is possible. The community’s collaborative approach inspires hope that the county’s downward trend in overdose deaths can continue, offering valuable lessons for other communities facing similar challenges.
At the 2024 MACo Winter Conference affiliate session, “There’s No Rest in Restitution: Opioid Dollars Making a Difference,” an esteemed panel of health leaders and policy experts will explore all of the great work local health departments are doing, specifically to fight the opioid crisis. The 2024 MACo Winter Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Hotel in Cambridge, MD from December 11-13. This year’s theme is “Anticipate, Adapt, Achieve: Thriving Through Turbulent Times.”
Learn more about MACo’s Winter Conference:
- Attendee Brochure (with full schedule)
- Hotel Details (SOLD OUT – waitlist info)
- Questions? Contact Virginia White
