Updated at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday: Drug overdose deaths in Montgomery County fell in the first half of 2018, counter to a statewide trend, though a recent rash of overdoses threaten the overall improvements, according to county health officials and data.
The Maryland Department of Health reported an increase in opioid-related deaths from January to June compared to the same period in 2017, marking the eighth consecutive year the rates have risen across the state.
In the same six-month period, deaths in Montgomery County decreased. While statistics for 2018 have yet to be completed, the county is on pace to have a drop its opioid fatality rate for the first time since 2010.
There were 1,185 opioid-related intoxication deaths statewide from January to June, up from 1,032 deaths over that stretch in 2017. Montgomery County went from 44 deaths in 2017 to 41 in 2018.
“We are seeing some dips going in the right direction,” said Dr. Raymond Crowel, chief of behavioral health and crisis services for Montgomery County. “I’m guardedly optimistic about it.”
Crowel cautioned the 2018 totals could be changed by 10 overdose deaths in September, along with an historic spike in fatalities near the end of the year, when seasonal depression comes into play, Crowel said.
Fentanyl remains the primary cause of drug-related opioid deaths in the state, more than doubling the fatality totals of heroin, the next-closest substance. Montgomery County is no different, though fentanyl-related deaths decreased by seven in the first half of 2018 compared to 2017.
Combatting fentanyl use remains the primary goal for decreasing overdose deaths in the county, Crowel said.
“If we see, in comparison to the state, the numbers remain flat or decline a little bit, I think that’s a positive indicator that we’re beginning to turn the corner on this,” Crowel said. “Were it not for fentanyl, I think we’d see our numbers turning down noticeably.”
Crowel cited increased distribution of Narcan, a nasal spray that delivers the antidote naloxone, as a major factor in declining overdose deaths.
The county is offering free naloxone training sessions in January and February for residents concerned about friends or family members with opioid addictions. Participants will receive a free naloxone kit along with tips on overdose prevention.
Naloxone was used in 90 percent of the non-fatal overdoses investigated by Montgomery County police, Special Investigations Division Director Capt. Ronald Smith said.
“The number one thing that’s pushing down our fatal overdoses in Montgomery County would be the use and introduction into the community … of naloxone,” Smith said.
Beyond targeted particular drugs and promoting overdose prevention methods, the broader task for the county and the state will be addressing a deeper issue among residents, Crowel said.
“The problem is underlying addiction, and we’ve got a community that has a fair amount of addiction in it,” Crowel said. “If we’re not aware and focusing on treating addiction and preventing addiction, we’ll be waiting for the next killer drug to come down the pipe.”
