From Harford County government:
The Harford County Department of Community Services Office of Drug Control Policy has been awarded a $120,000 grant from the Maryland Behavior Health Administration to fight heroin addiction and overdose in Harford County. Targeting the heroin epidemic is a priority under the administration of County Executive Barry Glassman.
“It is shocking, but heroin is reaching children as young as 11 in neighborhoods all across Harford County, and it only takes one dose to have lasting and devastating effects,” said County Executive Glassman. “Prevention, treatment and recovery resources are key, and that is where my administration is directing available funds.”
The $120,000 grant will expand the county’s drug and alcohol abuse prevention outreach to middle and high schools and to community organizations by supporting two prevention specialist positions. Earlier this year, the county Office of Drug Control Policy received a $100,000 grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to fund a high-profile public awareness campaign of radio spots, print advertising, mobile bus advertisements and billboards throughout Harford County.
Despite a tight budget for fiscal year 2016, the Glassman administration has also committed first-ever county funding to begin addressing treatment. Funds in the amount of $100,000 will be used to strengthen post-recovery support systems, including training for peer recovery coaches, treatment funding and case management. These systems are critical aids for individuals in recovery and at-risk for relapse and overdose.
In addition, the county Office of Drug Control Policy is working with 211, a nationwide, free and confidential resource service, to develop a protocol for operators to help families and individuals struggling with addiction. A September roll-out is anticipated for this new 24/7 resource, to coincide with National Recovery Month.
Also in September, the Glassman administration plans to hold a town hall meeting in partnership with the Harford County Sherriff’s Office to update citizens on the heroin epidemic. The meeting will include a discussion of actions by county government and law enforcement to address the epidemic, and opportunities for community input.
The Department of Community Services Office of Drug Control Policy is the leading drug and alcohol abuse prevention agency in Harford County; upcoming events include:
Caitlin’s Games – a fundraiser to support treatment and case management
Sunday, Aug. 16, 2015, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Kelly Field, 502 Boulton St., Bel Air
https://www.facebook.com/caitlinsgame
Office of Drug Control Policy Presentation
Harford County Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon
Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015; 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Main Street Tower, 29 S. Main St., Bel Air
www.harfordchamber.org
Run for Recovery
Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015; 8:00 a.m.
Starts at Harford Community College, 401 Thomas Run Road, Bel Air
www.races2run.com/events/run4recovery/
Close Foundation “Shining a Light on Recovery” Candlelight Vigil
Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015; 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Shamrock Park, Lee Way & Hickory Avenue, Bel Air
www.closefoundation.org
Human Rope to Stop the Dope*
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015; 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Rt. 22 & Hays Street, Bel Air
National Drug Take Back*
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015; 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
220 S. Main St. (Parking Lot), Bel Air
*These events are part of Healthy Harford Day 2015
http://www.healthyharford.org/calendar-of-events/healthy-harford-day-2015
The good sentiment is there, but $120,000 doesn’t even scratch the surface of the financial burden an undertaking such as this will cost. I think maybe a new route to fight this problem is necessary. Maybe, make a short, low budget film showing children what the Zombie Apocalypse is really about. Its about a bunch of heroin addicts (zombies) destroying themselves, their families and the world around them all for a high that leaves you, well, like a zombie! You have to start teaching them to fear and stay clear of heroin at a very young age in order for it to absorb enough to make it to their adulthood frame of mind.
Hey Soulman, maybe these people wouldn’t be doing heroin if they didn’t start by smoking the pot you grew and sold….Lets ask Marc and Sean what they think huh?
Well, that is laughable. That’s why they returned ALL money that was seized at the raid, Huh. Because I sold so much. Yes, that’s right folks. They returned ALL $17,411.55 that was seized, because I was such a big drug dealer. I still got a photocopy of the check #604780 straight from the Harford County Dept. of the Treasury account at M&T Bank. They even had to return ALL the interest they earned off of it. The grand total was $17,488.16 and if they had any evidence I was selling anything, I doubt I would’ve received a dime of it back……..besides, Marijuana and Heroin have absolutely no connection in the drug world.
Here is the copy of the check – https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_2lvkESzcDVR3FJOWxPUlN0R3M/view?usp=sharing
Come On, your attitude is a huge part of the problem– failing to admit that some drugs are truly dangerous and some are not. For decades, young people have been making the fatal mistake of trying heroin after learning from experience that the government was lying to them about marijuana.
What? Huh? When have you ever heard me say that Marijuana is a dangerous drug? I have to ask, what are you on and where can I get some that is that mind altering? This is reality, in the eyes of the Law, the State, employers and citizens, a felony is a felony. Its just that simple. I never stole, hurt anyone or killed anybody, but I’m still put in the same category as murderers, thieves and rapists. Now, I know MOST readers of the Dagger don’t like my views, because I’m not a Nazi, a Racist or in a term that encompasses them all, a Republican, but I am the Truth……If you don’t like the Truth, stop reading what I type.
Sheesh….
Look again, SoulCrusher. My comment was directed to Come On, not to you!
Well, if that’s the case then, OOOppps. I had a Rick Perry moment. But, you did reply to my thread.
You know what, I apologize. I’m the one with the eye problem. You were clearly replying to Come On Now’s thread. Sorry, I get touchy whenever Marston’s lying a_ss gets brought up…….
Are you seriously saying that marijuana isn’t a gateway drug? Marijuana doesn’t have anything to do with people going up to the next level of high or whatever makes them do it? It has nothing to do with crimes committed to obtain it? Kill innocent people when people drive under the influence of it? What are you in a bromance with the Soulman? Are you high on that non addicting hooch while writing on here? Rehab man , find a good rehab…Kudos to Marston and all the drug guys and gals everywhere doing whatever they can to rid us of these poisons.
You’re just an idiot. Cigarettes are the gateway drug. Marijuana has nothing to do with the “next level” of drug use. I can’t recall committing any crimes to obtain it, except for purchasing and growing it. I don’t remember ever having an accident while high on marijuana. You have more to worry about being killed by people who aren’t on marijuana, especially because you’re a moron. Rehab is for quitters and Sean Marston is an as_shole. He couldn’t tell the truth with his Johnson on the line…..
” I can’t recall committing any crimes to obtain it, except for purchasing and growing it.” Who’s the idiot now??????…. I never even had a traffic ticket.
“. I don’t remember ever having an accident while high on marijuana.” High on dope people don’t remember things, maybe you did have one……Who’s the idiot now????
You know I’m liking this Marston guy more and more each time you rant about him. He’s probably a decent cop, simple one if you nailed you! Once more, ” Who’s the idiot now???” Go back to jail you stoner
If you’ve never had a traffic ticket, then you have had such a sheltered life that you must live in a monastery. I think you are a liar. Since you claim to have never done marijuana, then maybe you shouldn’t comment about its effects. Only an idiot would advocate a cop committing perjury to get a search warrant. I don’t know what “simple one if you nailed you!” means, must’ve been a drunken rant or something. People don’t go to jail for marijuana use anymore, its a civil citation for having 10 grams or less. So YES, who’s the idiot now? You’re just an uninformed, ignorant idiot who brought up marijuana on an article about Heroin. Do you have any point worth exploring? Or are you just looking for a forum to have an argument in?
You are a true Moron, Idiot, or whatever adjective or name fits you best. And I apologize to all the readers who see me as stooping to your sublime level, suitable for only slugs like you. FYI I grew up in the 60’s, tried marijuana, served three tours in Nam, saw many friends and brave Veterans smoke that crap, get buzzed and killed by the VC. So don’t sit there you snot nosed little bastard and judge me. I was serving my country before you were an itch in your Daddy’s groin. That poor man if he is still with us would be pretty ashamed of you and your dope induced life. Oh a worker bee for a bondsman, well, well, well, no more after being busted for drugs. I obey the laws of this land, disagree with some, but for 32 years have served enforcing them after my military service.
And yes I tried that crap, did nothing but make me sick, and btw my daughter was a passenger in a car that was driven by a turd like you smoking dope and crossed the center line and she was tragically killed. So I have some bolster to speak about dope.
Maybe someday your sorry dope smoking ass will have a real stand on a discussion or debate an issue without deflecting the issue or attacking the opposing side rather than intelligently discuss the topic.
I just might look up this Marston officer and meet him and shake his hand. Maybe when you meet your maker you will realize what life is or what is was to be all about.
And BTW, where in my posts did I ever state that I never used or tried Marijuana? You must be high when you read these posts or make up stuff, most likely the same way you make up stuff in your court cases and fail to tell the truth there as well.
No wonder we lost in Vietnam, you were there. I think you are lying about your military service and record. I don’t think anybody like you has the testicular fortitude to make a child and I’m sure you mother was ashamed of raising an ignorant little fairy like yourself. Just for the record, I was BEST BAIL BONDS. I owned it, ran it and did everything I was supposed to do to serve the corrupt judiciary of Maryland. When you were in your prime, I would’ve bit_ch slapped you like your daddy did to your momma on the day you were born for having a little mongoloid like yourself. As for my court cases, everything I have said is the truth and I always back it up…. If you don’t like it, do something about it.
And by the way, you attacked me, I only responded to your complete and utter idiocy. My original comment on this article had nothing to do with you, you momma, my daddy or whatever my daddy did to your momma. It was about heroin and how that money allocated was not enough to do any real good, even though it was in good sentiment. I suggest you go back and reread because you started this, not I…..
I agree that the amount needed only scratches the surface. Also, the money should not go to this governmental, do-nothing, paper pushing agency. It is foolish to further develop a service linkage system when you have limited or no services. We need inpatient drug treatment sufficient to meet the needs of our own community rather than having them go to neighboring counties, out-of-state, or worse yet, receive no treatment at all. We also need to deal with the influx of the drugs. Seems to me that is a more complex issue that this amount of money doesn’t even begin to touch.
Question. Divide 120,000.00 by any and all families “affected” and this equates to ….. ? Drug intervention centers/support groups/counseling/shelters basically seeing there’s FEDERAL $$ available for the taking. Cash drawer has to be (or recommended) to be closed and secured at/around 5pm for those who support and participate.
Too little too late for someone I’ve known for over 15 years who recently passed away. Hopefully the money saves at least someone else’s life.
Trying to get away from personal insults and back to the facts:
If you keep repeating propaganda and telling kids that pot is a gateway that will ruin their lives, you lose credibility. The kids will know you are not telling the truth, even if you sincerely believe what you are saying.
You are throwing away the credibility you will need when you tell the truth about the dangers of heroin.
You are correct. Your entire post is correct. I’ve tried to be more “correct” lately. I’ll continue to work on it.
And you base your analysis on losing credibility on what? And the youth today knows better than us? Just like we knew better than our parents? Marijuana is harmless and not a gateway? Please explain your facts on this.
http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/marijuana/marijuana-gateway-drug
http://healthland.time.com/2010/10/29/marijuna-as-a-gateway-drug-the-myth-that-will-not-die/
Yes, people that start using hard core drugs normally have tried marijuana before they start using the harder stuff. With that said, they have normally tried using cigarettes and /or alcohol before moving on to harder substances also. If someone has the desire or need to use a drug, they will start by using whatever is more readily available. In essence, coffee could even be considered a gateway drug. As the articles provided state, the correlation is there, but not the causation. Shall we ban tobacco, alcohol and coffee based on the myth that these drugs will make users desire a more potent effect and move to harder drugs? No. We should evaluate each substance in turn and decide whether the long and short term effects of the substances are truly harmful to the user.
http://www.factcheck.org/2015/04/is-marijuana-really-a-gateway-drug/