Drug overdose deaths are down, but fentanyl remains the leading cause of overdoses in Montgomery County, according to data presented Tuesday by county health officials at a County Council meeting.
From January through September 2024, there were 57 overdose deaths in Montgomery County, according to Maryland Department of Health data. Thirty-five of those deaths were related to fentanyl. All the overdose deaths were of men and none involved anyone under the age of 25.
While the year isn’t over, the data shows a decline from 2023, which saw 130 overdose deaths. There also have been fewer calls for emergency medical services (EMS) for overdoses and the administration of Naloxone.
Naloxone is a nasal spray emergency medication that can reverse the effects of an overdose. It is available over the counter in Maryland. Students in Montgomery County public schools have been allowed to carry naloxone on campus since 2023, and a state bill in the 2024 General Assembly session sponsored by Del. Joe Vogel (D-Dist. 17) attempted to make this policy law for students across the state.
“We saw the number of EMS calls drop before we saw the deaths drop,” county health officer Dr. Kisha Davis said during the data presented at Tuesday’s County Council meeting. “We still don’t exactly know why … but people may have their own supply of [naloxone] available, which is awesome and encouraging.”
In 2023, 73% of all overdose deaths in the county involved fentanyl, according to state data. While this is a slight decline from 2021, in which fentanyl accounted for 79% of overdose deaths, it still shows an upward trend. For comparison, in 2015, just 24% of overdose deaths involved fentanyl.
Youth fentanyl overdoses have been a hot topic after youth and adolescent overdoses increased by nearly 80% in 2022 in the county. The county government and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) officials have partnered on education and prevention efforts in response.
Earlier this month, Rahul Gupta, the White House director of national drug control policy, and Maryland Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller (D) visited John F. Kennedy High School in Silver Spring to highlight the dangers of illicit drugs such as fentanyl as a part of National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month.
Davis said she is continuing to work in partnership with MCPS on overdose prevention and naloxone availability in schools.
“I think the work that has been done by MCPS on the overdose and fentanyl issue by Dr. Davis has been extraordinary,” councilmember Gabe Albornoz (D-At-large) said. “I have to believe that that work has contributed to the decline in overdoses that we’ve had, particularly within the under 18 category … we can’t go back.”
“There are examples of use of fentanyl starting in middle school,” she said. “I talk to moms about this who have children who are only 11 and 10.”
Councilmember Natali Fani-González (D-Dist. 6) encouraged health department officials to look into how to address drug use in children as young as middle school age.
