News Flash Home
The original item was published from 4/27/2017 3:56:57 PM to 5/27/2017 12:00:01 AM.

News Flash

About Frederick - Home

Posted on: April 27, 2017

[ARCHIVED] Executive Gardner Unveils Billboard to Raise Awareness of Heroin & Opioid Epidemic

County Executive Jan Gardner today unveiled a billboard that illustrates the sobering impact of the heroin and opioid epidemic that has destroyed lives in Frederick County and across the nation.  In Maryland, more people are dying from overdoses than are killed in car accidents or by homicide.  Drugs are tearing families apart, leaving a wake of destruction, affecting many people beyond those with addictions.

“The numbers we posted on the new billboard today are sobering and we want everyone to take to heart the seriousness of the substance abuse crisis,” said Executive Gardner.  “In the first quarter of 2017, someone in Frederick County overdosed from an opioid, on average, every single day.  Every week and a half, another person died. The billboard will raise public awareness as part of the county’s fight to end this vicious cycle.”
The billboard is located on Rt. 85 in front of the Work Release Center of the Frederick County Adult Detention Center, 7301 Marcie’s Choice Lane.  The statistics posted on the billboard note that there have been 96 non-fatal overdoses and 15 lives lost this year.  The numbers will be updated each month so drivers in both directions can see the strong message.

Additional Info...
Facebook Twitter Email