Annapolis, Md. – The Maryland Municipal League’s Hometown Emergency Preparedness Ad hoc Committee (HEPAC) is working closely with the state’s Opioid Operational Command Center to combat the ongoing opioid and heroin crisis plaguing Maryland. A set of new radio public service announcements (PSAs) is being released throughout Maryland to bring awareness to the public health crisis.
Mayor Wayne Creadick, Jr., Town of Myersville, Maryland, and Chair of MML’s HEPAC, has worked on the development of the PSAs with the Opioid Operational Command Center. “This is a public health tragedy occurring every day within our towns, cities and communities,” the Mayor said. “We wanted to help with the public outreach effort to reach Maryland citizens, so they are aware of the state’s resources, including the website, beforeitstoolate.maryland.gov.”
The radio PSAs represent one facet of the joint public education and outreach effort and are recorded by mayors from various regions in the state, highlighting progress being made in the face of this public health emergency.
“Everywhere across Maryland, from our small towns to big cities, communities and families are being affected by the opioid crisis,” said Clay Stamp, Director, Maryland Opioid Operational Command Center. “We thank MML for its partnership and leadership with this public outreach effort.”
Maryland’s “Before It’s Too Late” website, beforeitstoolate.maryland.gov, is the statewide effort to bring awareness to the rapid escalation of the heroin, opioid, and fentanyl crisis in Maryland and to mobilize all available resources for effective prevention, treatment, and recovery before it’s too late. In 2017, Governor Larry Hogan signed an Executive Order declaring a State of Emergency in response to the heroin, opioid, and fentanyl crisis ravaging communities in Maryland. This declaration activated the Governor’s emergency management authority and enabled increased and more rapid coordination between state agencies and local jurisdictions.
