The Anne Arundel County Department of Health’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Education Services Program has awarded Opioid Misuse Prevention Program (OMPP) grants of $29,000 to Anne Arundel Medical Center and $7,000 to Serenity Sistas, Inc. The purpose of OMPP is to reduce prescription opioid misuse and the number of overdose fatalities in the county. The Maryland Behavioral Health Administration provided funding for the grants.
“The heroin epidemic is a national problem, but there are local solutions that work,” said County Executive Steven Schuh. “It is important to educate our citizens about the dangers of opioid misuse. These grants will support community partners in our countywide efforts to prevent opioid addiction and overdoses.”
Funding will be used to develop an educational presentation for the public on how to properly store and monitor prescription medications. The grant will also fund the development and distribution of a guide for prescribers and pharmacists to help educate patients on the dangers of prescription opioid abuse.
“The Department of Health wants residents to know about the county’s many resources on opioid misuse prevention,” said County Health Officer Jinlene Chan, M.D. “The best way to reduce drug overdoses is to prevent addiction in the first place, and the department is pleased to provide grants that put area pharmacists and private health care providers on the forefront of drug misuse awareness and prevention for their patients.”
For more information about OMPP and opioid misuse prevention resources, call Prevention Specialist Caitlin Hall at 410-222-6724.
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