Opioid-related emergencies among young people in Montgomery County are almost 90% higher than this time last year, according to the county executive.
So far this year, there have been 69 opioid emergencies for children ages 5-17 compared to 36 total in 2022.
County Executive Marc Elrich says it’s a problem that needs everyone’s attention.
“This is not good news,” he said. “It’s a lot of people being involved, and we need to figure out how you can tamp this down, which is not easy.”
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The county’s prevention and harm reduction manager says fentanyl is being disguised as drugs like Adderall and ecstasy and being sold via social media.
They focus a lot of attention these days in educational forums for students and parents. The county offers Narcan training and fentanyl test strips.
Elrich said he’s written a letter to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore about establishing a youth treatment facility.
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