Prevention and Recovery Ministry

This week, we have 3 articles covering the decline in drug overdose deaths in MD and PA. Last year there were 74 fatal drug overdoses in Harford County — the lowest overdose fatality number the county has seen in seven years. MD's Department of Health data shows that overdoses in 2023 at both the state and local levels were vastly due to opioids and fentanyl. The rate of fatal overdoses has been declining in Harford since 2021 when the county had 96 total. Within the past 10 years, Harford hit an all-time high of 101 fatal overdoses in 2018. The state’s 10-year high was in 2021 when the number of fatal overdoses hit 2,800. There were 2,576 fatal overdoses across the state in 2022. In 2023, that number dropped to 2,511. A commentator to the Aegis shared the following: A major factor in the reduction of fatal overdoses is the increased availability of naloxone (Narcan), the medicine that can quickly reverse a fentanyl, heroin, or opioid overdose. The substantial increase in the number of state-certified peer recovery specialists,(CPRS) and community health workers also contributes to the reduction of fatal overdoses and the increase in the number of people with substance use disorders who are entering detox, treatment, and sober living/recovery housing. Addiction Connections Resource, the UM Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in Aberdeen, the Klein Family Center, and other groups have proactive peer recover specialists who work to reduce overdoses and provide genuine opportunities for people to recover and rebuild their lives and families. Statewide and national surveys show that more than 50% of us know someone — a family member, co-worker, neighbor, friend, other personal connection — who has a substance issue. Familiarity breeds understanding and often empathy. As we work together, as a community, to further reduce all overdoses, it’s important that we know that there have been major advancements in other ways to reduce substance misuse and addiction. There are now more evidence-based treatment options and more effective medications to end and reduce cravings. Together, we can stem the tide of drug addiction. From msn.com: Per the most recent CDC data, there was a 10% decline in the number of overdose deaths nationally over a 12-month period ending in April. Pennsylvania saw a 19% decrease in drug overdose deaths in that timeframe. Here are the links: Lowest number of fatal overdoses in seven years reported in Harford – Baltimore Sun and Positive news in the fight against drug overdoses | READER COMMENTARY – Baltimore Sun and Philadelphia overdose deaths drop for first time in 5 years (msn.com)

September 9-11th

Prevention and Recovery Ministry

Human trafficking is the use of force, fraud or coercion to compel a person into labor or to participate in commercial sex against their will. It often involves extensive grooming and victimizes vulnerable people, like those who are addicted to drugs or alcohol, have mental health problems, are recent migrants, or are children who have run away from home. It can look like a boyfriend using emotional abuse or threats to force his girlfriend to perform sex work to buy drugs or pay the bills. Under federal law, all instances of children under 18 engaging in sex work are considered trafficking. Researchers agree that the majority of victims and survivors are women and girls. Ashley McAree is a forensic nurse at Towson’s Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC) and human trafficking liaison for the hospital’s Sexual Assault Forensic Examination, Domestic Violence and Child Protection (SAFE, DV, and CPP) Program. The program is open 24/7/365 and provides free care to survivors and victims of all ages, including trauma-informed forensic and medical exams, peer recovery support, advocacy and education. GBMC’s Anti-Human Trafficking Initiative was recently awarded $50,000 from the federal government, one of 18 winners across the country of its Innovation Challenge to prevent human trafficking among women and girls. Educating community members, from teachers and court-appointed special advocates to naval officers and school resource officers, about human trafficking is a vital role that the Anti-Human Trafficking Initiative plays in Baltimore County and elsewhere in the state. “The truth is that human trafficking, it is happening all around us. It’s happening to so many different populations of people,” McAree said. SARC (The Sexual Assault/Spouse Abuse Resource Center) is Harford County’s lifeline to victims, potential victims, and survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, child abuse and stalking. Working within the community, they are a catalyst for the eradication and prevention of violence. Here is their link: About Sarc - SARC (sarc-maryland.org). Here's the link to the article: GBMC aims to expand anti-human trafficking initiative (baltimoresun.com)