Anne Arundel Heroin Action Taskforce Releases Recommendations to Address Addiction Crisis
Annapolis, MD (March 2, 2015) – County Executive Steve Schuh and Anne Arundel County’s Heroin Action Taskforce today released a Heroin Action Plan to combat the heroin crisis in the county.
“This report will provide the blueprint for tackling this crisis over the next decade,” said Schuh. “The final plan focuses on stepping up our efforts to educate our children, treat those suffering from addiction, and stop the flow of heroin into our county.”
Broadly, the Heroin Action Taskforce three-pronged action plan contains the following elements:
- Education: Education of our citizens, especially our children, through targeted public awareness campaigns and community engagement.
- Treatment Opportunities: Expanded treatment opportunities by investing in programs that break the cycle of addiction once it begins.
- Increased Enforcement: Targeted public safety investments in specialty tactical units to neutralize the gangs and dealers that traffic in heroin.
“The work does not stop here,” said Schuh. “In the coming weeks, our office will be meeting with departments and asking them to prioritize these recommendations and include anti-heroin initiatives in their annual budget requests.”
“We’re also looking forward to working with Governor Hogan’s newly created state heroin emergency taskforce to see how we can partner with the state to address this crisis.”
Anne Arundel County’s Heroin Action Taskforce is comprised of officials across county government. The group includes:
The Hon. Steven R. Schuh. Anne Arundel County Executive (Chair)
The Hon. Michael J. Pantelides, City of Annapolis Mayor
The Hon. Wes Adams, Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney
Chief Tim Altomare, Anne Arundel County Police Department
Manager Thomas Andrews, City of Annapolis
Superintendent George Arlotto, Anne Arundel County Public Schools
The Hon. Ron Bateman, Anne Arundel Sheriff’s Office
Dr. Pamela Brown, Anne Arundel Co. Partnership for Children Youth & Families
Dr. Jinlene Chan, Anne Arundel County Health Department
Chief Allan Graves, Anne Arundel County Fire Department
Judge Paul Hackner, Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County
Superintendent Terry Kokolis, Department of Detention Facilities
Dr. Dawn Lindsay, Anne Arundel Community College
Judge John P. McKenna, District Court of Maryland
Director Adrienne Mickler, Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency
Captain David Pressley, Anne Arundel Community College
Chief Michael Pristoop, Annapolis City Police Department
Director Carnitra White, Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services
Assistant Manager Bob Agee, City of Annapolis
Chief Communications Officer Rhonda Wardlaw, City of Annapolis
