Maryland Lieutenant Governor Aruna K. Miller and the Office of Overdose Response have announced $12.4 million in grants to support programs addressing substance use and overdose prevention across the state. The funding, sourced from the Opioid Restitution Fund established in 2019, will aid various organizations and initiatives aimed at treatment, harm reduction, and recovery services.
Local recipients include Somerset County Commissioners, receiving $356,576 for opioid use disorder support within the criminal-legal system, and the Worcester County Health Department, granted $656,323 for prevention and treatment efforts. Other awards include $378,884 to the Dorchester County Health Department for harm-reduction services for pregnant and postpartum individuals, $542,000 to the Salisbury City Fire Department for training and drug disposal initiatives, $635,042 to Diakonia, Inc. for mobile harm reduction services, and $507,226 to the Queen Anne’s County Detention Center for opioid use disorder screening among incarcerated individuals.
Additionally, Maryland’s Office of Overdose Response has introduced a five-step strategy to address substance use disorders. The plan includes disrupting pathways to addiction, improving health and safety for drug users, expanding access to evidence-based treatments, strengthening recovery support infrastructure, and enhancing services for those in the criminal legal system. These efforts aim to reduce overdoses and support long-term recovery for affected individuals throughout the state.
