Opioid addition, pain medicine abuse and heroin dependency, are city problems, and rural problems. They’re a problem for the rich and the poor. These drugs don’t discriminate. Addiction goes after your children with the same ferocity that it targets your parents and grandparents. It may even decide to take your life. They’re killers and the problem is getting bigger. We already know you’re concerned. Now, tell us what you’re willing to do about it.

Misuse of prescription drugs is becoming a very real problem in Garrett County. Overdose deaths have increased by more than 60% in Maryland in just five years. Even scarier, 85% of all ODs in 2014 were directly linked to pain med abuse. These are serious numbers and the problem is only getting worse, right here in our back yard.

What specific drugs are we talking about? Opioids. This term refers to a family of drugs that are traditionally used to treat pain. They are common prescriptions found in almost every household. They go by complicated-sounding names like Vicodin, Oxycodone, Darvon, Dilaudid, Demorol and Fentanyl. Effects of their misuse aren’t complicated at all. These drugs can be fatal.

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