Baltimore County Experiencing Significant Decline in Overdose Deaths

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD—County Executive Katherine Klausmeier and County Health Officer Dr. Lucy E. Wilson today announced a significant decrease to the number of fatal overdoses in 2024. Preliminary information from the Maryland Overdose Data Dashboard indicates that fatal overdoses in 2024 decreased by 30%* from 2023. These findings also represent a 49% decrease in overdoses since 2021.

“Every overdose is a tragedy, but it is encouraging to see that Baltimore County’s work to prioritize overdose prevention is making a difference,” said County Executive Kathy Klausmeier. “We hope to grow this work and reach even more residents and their families impacted by addiction through partnerships with local organizations in our fight to save lives.”

The County Executive also announced approximately $1 million in Opioid Abatement Funds for local organizations including Chase Brexton, the Daniel Carl Torsch Foundation, Health Care for the Homeless, MATClinics, and MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center. The funding will be used to expand harm reduction services, enhance access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment in clinics and in mobile units, and establish standard of care treatment protocols for pregnant women suffering from substance use disorder.

These investments are further bolstered by expansion of harm reduction services through the Daniel Carl Torsch Foundation and Health Care for the Homeless utilizing $150,000 from the CDC Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) LOCAL cooperative agreement awarded to Baltimore County.

“The Department of Health has worked consistently on several fronts to reduce overdose numbers,” said Dr. Wilson. “We make Naloxone available at each of our health centers, our Animal Services office, our mobile health unit, community events, and at select Baltimore County Department of Social Services offices”, Dr. Wilson continued.

The Department has expanded public health vending options to include machines offering free naloxone (Narcan©), fentanyl test strips, xylazine test strips, as well as other hygiene items. There are four public health vending machines now available across the County made possible by Opioid Abatement Funds and OD2A: LOCAL funds.

Baltimore County residents and families struggling with substance use can call the Baltimore County Department of Health’s REACH warm line at 410-88-REACH (410-887-3224) to speak with a Peer Recovery Specialist Monday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to midnight. Anyone experiencing a behavioral health crisis is encouraged to call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, to speak with someone who can help. 88REACH.org and 988helpline.org are also available for more information.

*Recent fatal overdoses: 286 reported in 2023 and 200 reported in 2024