As Maryland law requires, the Calvert County Commissioners must convene as the county’s Board of Health at least twice a year. On Tuesday, Nov. 19 Calvert County Health Officer Laurence Polsky briefed the board regarding the ongoing challenges and recent successes of the Health Department.
A nationwide drug addiction plagues—narcotic abuse and a rise in heroin use and overdoses—has also touched Calvert. Polsky noted the many agencies and entities involved in battling the problem include Calvert Alliance Against Substance Abuse (CAASA), the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, Calvert Memorial Hospital, the Department of Aging, the Calvert State’ Attorney’s Office and the Department of Social Services.
The Calvert County Health Department oversees Calvert Substance Abuse Services. Additionally, private drug counseling providers and local pharmacists are involved.
Polsky reported CAASA has held “multiple public forums” on the drug issue, has aided locals in finding treatment resources and coordinates agency efforts. Also noted was the sheriff’s office’s collection of unused prescription drugs.
“New avenues of help are on the way,” Polsky stated. He cited the nonprofit corporation Chesapeake Regional Information System for Our Patients (CRISP) as one of the planned avenues. According to Polsky, CRISP “will provide a computerized database for clinicians and pharmacists to track all narcotic prescriptions dispensed in Maryland and will offer treatment alternatives to prescribers.”
The added technology will also allow health officials to link mental health with substance abuse treatment.
Polsky reported the Food and Drug Administration may be placing restrictions on certain narcotics, including Vicodin.
Other Health Department concerns include 18 cases of pertussis (whooping cough) in Calvert after three consecutive years of no cases and nearly 379 animal bites reported countywide so far this year.
On the plus said Polsky noted no rabid cats or dogs have been reported in Calvert in 2013.
Local health officials have raised awareness of the Vibrio infection. Polsky said the Calvert County Health Department Disease Surveillance staff met this year with
