About

The Opioid Operational Command Center (OOCC) serves as the primary coordinating office for the state’s response to the opioid and overdose crisis. As outlined in Executive Order 01.01.2022.07, the OOCC is responsible for coordinating with all state agencies engaged in opioid crisis response efforts and the Opioid Intervention Teams (OIT) in each of Maryland’s 24 local jurisdictions to promote alignment with the state’s strategic priorities.

OOCC Vision and Mission

Vision: The OOCC aspires and works towards a healthier Maryland where individuals have equitable access to care and where opioid and overdose-related harms are reduced through comprehensive and coordinated efforts between state and local partners. Mission: Under the guidance of the Inter-Agency Heroin and Opioid Coordinating Council, the OOCC will pursue the following mission elements to make our vision a reality:

Develop the Inter-Agency Opioid Coordination Plan;
Coordinate the opioid-related efforts of approximately 20 state agencies, our community partners, and all 24 local jurisdictions throughout the state;
Identify “promising practices” that can be implemented throughout Maryland;
Assess gaps in statewide and local efforts to combat the opioid epidemic and work to fill those gaps;
Facilitate communications and collect relevant data;
Provide financial support to assist local jurisdictions, state agencies, and community organizations to advance their efforts to combat the opioid crisis; and
Evaluate all opioid-related legislation and opioid crisis-related budget proposals.

State-Level Partner Roles and Responsibilities

The OOCC coordinates the statewide opioid and overdose crisis response through state partner agencies in the areas of health, human services, education, law enforcement/public safety, and emergency services. State partners serve as subject-matter experts on collaborative initiatives and are responsible for program development and implementation within their agencies. Non-governmental partners, including health care systems and associations, community and faith-based organizations, professional associations, and nonprofits and businesses, play a vital role in Maryland’s whole-community approach.

Local Opioid Intervention Teams

A key element of the statewide strategy is encouraging multidisciplinary collaboration and coordination among all levels of government. To provide direction and coordination among stakeholders at the local level, all 24 jurisdictions have established OITs, which function as multi-agency coordinating bodies. The purpose of an OIT is to bring together representatives from different local agencies to advance programming, to identify gaps and opportunities, and to coordinate resources. OITs are led jointly by each jurisdiction’s health officer and emergency manager and include governmental and community partners from local agencies, providers, and community groups. OITs are responsible for developing a community strategy to address opioid addiction and substance use disorder (SUD) in their community. OITs also identify priority areas for programming and allocate OIT grant funding to those areas. Most OITs meet on a monthly or quarterly basis to discuss progress in priority areas and gaps that need to be addressed.

State Partner Agency Partners

Inter-Agency Heroin and Opioid Coordinating Council

Governor Larry Hogan created the council through executive order in February 2015. It meets on a quarterly basis to share information from across Maryland state agencies to better coordinate the state’s efforts to reduce overdose morbidity and mortality.

Other Partners

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