Hogan-Rutherford Administration Announces $40 Million to Fight Heroin and Opioid Epidemic

Prevention, Enforcement, and Treatment and Recovery Efforts to Expand in FY 2019

June 12, 2018

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Maryland’s Opioid Operational Command Center, the Maryland Department of Health, and the Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention today announced $40 million in new funding to fight the heroin and opioid epidemic.

“Over the past year, we have seen our state and local partners escalate efforts to combat the heroin and opioid crisis. Now, it’s critical that we continue our fight, and this continued funding supports our drive to do just that,” said Governor Hogan. “This is about saving lives – and it will take all of us working together to turn the tide of this epidemic.”

The funding for Fiscal Year 2019 includes $29.4 million from the Hogan-Rutherford administration, $10 million from the federal 21st Century Cures Act, and $1.2 million from the Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention.

“Every day, the opioid crisis is evolving. Although we are making progress in reducing prescription opioid-related deaths, illicit fentanyl floods our streets. It’s important that we remain focused and resolute in our coordinated efforts,” said Clay Stamp, executive director of the Opioid Operational Command Center. “Our local jurisdictions are inspiring – because it’s there, at the local level, in neighborhoods, schools, and communities – where we are making the biggest impact.”

The Maryland Department of Health was awarded a $20 million grant under the 21st Century Cures Act from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), to be used for the prevention and treatment of opioid abuse over two years – FY 2019 is the second year of funding. See how funding was used in FY 2018, here.

The funds from the Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention will be used to continue the collaboration and coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement.

Maryland’s opioid crisis is evolving and so is the state’s response to it, which includes addressing the epidemic from every possible angle. Education and prevention go hand-in-hand with treatment and recovery, and enforcement, and all are essential components of the state’s efforts to turn the tide in this heroin and opioid crisis.

Efforts that will receive enhanced funding in FY 2019 include:

• $4 million total distributed to local Opioid Intervention Teams (as noted in table below) for each jurisdiction to determine how best to fight the opioid epidemic, which may expand on current prevention, enforcement, and treatment efforts
• $2.5 million to fight the opioid crisis through prevention and education, and treatment and recovery efforts

 Prevention and Education

• $1 million for a public awareness campaign to reduce stigma and increase patient-physician communication
• $700,000 to establish harm reduction outreach teams
• $200,000 to continue program that creates school-based teams for early identification of the problems related to substance use disorders

Enforcement

• $850,000 to continue heroin coordinator program, which helps to make the link between law enforcement and treatment
• $380,000 to expand law enforcement assisted diversion (LEAD) to treatment programs
• $370,000 to increase monitoring and regulatory oversight of controlled substances prescribers and dispensers

Treatment and Recovery

• $18.5 million to increase reimbursement rates for behavioral health providers as outlined in the Heroin and Opioid Prevention Effort (HOPE) and Treatment Act of 2017
• $2.8 million to expand access to crisis beds and residential treatment services statewide
• $2.2 million to improve access to naloxone statewide
• $2 million to support implementation of 24-hour crisis stabilization center in Baltimore City
• $1.7 million to support peer support specialist and SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) services, with a focus on hospitals, correctional facilities, and other high-risk populations
• $1.5 million to increase access to medications that support recovery from substance use disorders
• $350,000 to expand and improve the statewide crisis hotline
• $200,000 to support Montgomery County School System recovery and academic program

FY 2019 Funding by Jurisdiction

As in FY 2018, local Opioid Intervention Teams will receive $4 million total for each jurisdiction to determine how to best fight the opioid epidemic, as noted in the table below. This amount does not include other grants and additional funding distribution.

Some jurisdictions have chosen to continue FY 2018 projects in FY 2019. Efforts have been centered on naloxone, public awareness, education and training, referral and connection to treatment and recovery support services. For example, in the first three quarters of FY 2018, half of the state’s jurisdictions expanded access to naloxone, and nearly one million individuals were exposed to messaging and information through public service announcements, websites, social media, and mailings. Jurisdictions reported hosting a total of 148 educational or training events, and nearly 2000 individuals were connected to treatment and recovery support services.

“In Montgomery County, we’re using our OIT funds to focus on community education and advocacy, and increasing access to naloxone – both publicly and in our community facilities,” says Earl Stoddard, emergency manager, Montgomery County. “We’re also improving the integration of our STEER (Stop Triage Engage Educate Rehabilitate) program in various other venues, including our correctional facilities. STEER’s goal is to provide support and expert navigation of our treatment system to ensure that those at greatest risk during this crisis have the support and opportunity to stay sober and healthy.”

Last September during National Recovery Month, Talbot County launched “Talbot Goes Purple,” a prevention and substance abuse awareness campaign that included visits to schools, sporting events, civic organizations, home owner associations, and business owners with educational messages related to prevention, early intervention, and recovery. The community was lit up in purple – businesses, homes, churches, schools, and government buildings participated by displaying purple lights. Every Talbot County Public School teacher and employee was given a Talbot Goes Purple shirt which they now use on “Purple Fridays” to support the campaign.

“After seeing the success of and momentum created by Talbot Goes Purple, Washington Goes Purple just made sense to us,” said Charles Summers, emergency manager, Washington County. “Our campaign will focus on education – we want to provide our children the information they need to make better decisions. We want to encourage parents to have ‘the new conversation,’ the one that includes the dangers of prescription medication. We are going to focus on stopping addiction before it starts.”

“Charles County is using its OIT grant to provide education and direct outreach to those with opioid use disorder and their families, as well as naloxone for our first responders and the community,” said Dianna E. Abney, MD, health officer, Charles County Department of Health. “We are most proud of our new project, Welcome Wagon, which provides mobile outreach and needed services to the community. Those with opioid use disorder will be able to speak with peer recovery specialists. Some of the services provided are naloxone training and distribution, connection to county services, and help with accessing recovery service.”

Before It’s Too Late is the state’s effort to bring awareness to this epidemic—and to mobilize resources for effective prevention, treatment, and recovery. Marylanders grappling with a substance use disorder can find help at BeforeItsTooLateMD.org and 1-800-422-0009, the state crisis hotline.