July 12th, 2013 by WCBC Radio
WBAL reports after five years of declines, the number of heroin-related overdose deaths increased in Maryland last year by 54%. According to a report released this week by the Maryland department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the number of heroin related deaths in 2012 was 378, compared to 245 in 2011. The increase in heroin related deaths led to a 15% increase in fatal drug and alcohol related overdoses, from 663 in 2011 to 761 last year. Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, Secretary of DHMH, called this development a serious public health concern. Sharfstein says that the increase in the number of heroin overdose deaths is taking place as the number of overdose deaths related to prescription painkillers is declining, and he believes the two trends are related…
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