Overdose deaths in Montgomery County are down significantly this year, according to Chief Health Officer Dr. Kisha Davis.
At this week’s county council meeting, reports showed that overdose deaths in 2024 are more than 50 percent lower than last year. For reference, there was a peak of 147 deaths in 2021, a dip to 109 deaths in 2022 before a rise to 138 in 2023. This year, officials have reported only 57 overdose deaths.
Furthermore, fentanyl-attributed overdoses are down 57 percent as well. Medical professionals prescribe fentanyl as an anesthetic. However, it’s increased usage in illicit drug manufacturing has greatly contributed to the opioid epidemic. In 2015, approximately only a quarter of overdoses involved fentanyl. Last year, almost 75 percent of them were. At this point in the year, 61 percent of overdoses involve the drug.
Davis attributed the decline to many factors,: an increase in education and awareness, the community-wide dispersal of Narcan and the efforts of law enforcement.
“But the sad truth is that…part of the reason we have seen the numbers go down, is because some of those folks who would have died this year and next year already died last year,” Davis said.
October signifies National Substance Use Prevention Month, and this Saturday is the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take-back day. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the DEA will collect unneeded tablets, capsules and other forms of prescription drugs that serve as a gateway to addiction.
Montgomery County residents can drop off their old and unused prescription drugs at the Maryland State Police barrack in Rockville, and several permanent take-back locations.
