Prince Frederick, MD – Even though Calvert County is taking a proactive approach to dealing with the recent spike in drug overdose deaths, the numbers still create a lot of concern among government leaders. On Tuesday, Nov. 17 the Calvert County Commissioners convened as The Board of Health for the purpose of receiving the latest semi-annual report from Dr. Laurence Polsky, Calvert County’s health officer (pictured above).
According to the latest national figures available, the United States had nearly 44,000 drug overdose deaths in 2013. That’s almost double the number of drug overdose deaths in 1999. More than half of the 2013 deaths were related to prescription drugs. Heroin, often the cheaper alternative for pill addicts, was involved in 8,250 of those deaths.
As for Calvert County, in 2014 there were 13 drug overdose deaths involving heroin reported and seven due to prescription opiates. Between January and June Calvert had 7 overdose deaths that were heroin-related and five deaths involving prescription opiates.
“Almost all deaths related to opiates involved at least one other contributing substance including fentanyl, methadone, alcohol, benzodiazepines, cocaine and amphetamines,” Polsky stated in the report.
A strategy implemented called “Act Now Calvert” focuses on educating parents on the proper storage and dispensing of prescription drugs, public awareness of the new Maryland Good Samaritan Law—which provides immunity for the overdose victim and the person who calls for help, youth-targeted education and overdose prevention materials. The Calvert County Health Department is working with almost 20 partner entities—including faith-based organizations, local pharmacies and private businesses—and has been involved in approximately 30 community events.
Polsky reported on the health department’s use of grant funds for “Healthy Beginnings” and “Bridge to Health.”
The Healthy Beginnings grant, stated Polsky, “improves coordination of care for pregnant women in need of behavioral health services and payment for underfunded services.”
The newer Bridge to Health grant, Polsky stated, “allows better coordination between reproductive and behavioral health.”
Commissioner Mike Hart called the situation of young women who are pregnant and simultaneously fighting drug addiction “heartbreaking.” Of the county’s ongoing battle with drug involvement among teenagers, Hart declared, “Mom and Dad have got to get to these kids.”
Polsky also used the semi-annual report as an opportunity to remind citizens that flu season has arrived and vaccinations from the influenza virus save on direct medical costs (about $80 per person vaccinated) and salvages work days that could be lost to illness. The health officer said there is “a very small chance” getting the vaccine could cause someone to become sick. “Your chance of dying from the flu is 50 to 100 times greater than your chance of having a bad reaction to the vaccine,” Polsky stated.
Polsky also subtly reminded the commissioners that the local Health Department is operating with flat funding from both the state and county. Earlier this year the commissioners voted down the Calvert County Health Department’s requests for several service fee increases.
For information about Calvert County Health Department services, visit www.calverthealth.org/
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
