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Valentine Comments on Drug Problem in Maryland

June 3rd, 2015 by WCBC Radio

Political leaders in Maryland  are searching for ways to combat a wave of heroin overdoses that is killing dozens of their constituents each month — in inner-city neighborhoods, suburbs and rural enclaves.  While some progress was evident just a few years ago,  an influx of cheap heroin has reversed the trend and overdose deaths from heroin spiked from 247 in 2011 to 392 in 2012, a nearly 60 percent increase. The number climbed to 464 in 2013, and there were 296 overdose deaths in the first six months of 2014. The largest number of deaths has consistently been in Baltimore, but some of the highest rates per-capita have been in rural counties.  The governor’s task force on heroin met recently in western Maryland.  Allegany County Commissioners President Bill Valentine says that while heroin is the focal point, there seems to be a growing problem with drugs overall.





 

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