March 1st, 2017 by WCBC Radio

Governor Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency in response to the heroin epidemic in Maryland. WMAR reports Hogan made the announcement at the Maryland Emergency Management Agency Wednesday. He discussed Maryland's recent efforts to combat opioid addiction and announced an additional $50 million in funding to support heroin prevention, treatment and enforcement efforts.

"We need to treat this crisis the exact same way that we would treat any other state emergency," Hogan said. 

The state's accelerated efforts are in response to a recent increase in heroin use and heroin-related deaths. Hogan said heroin and opioid deaths have doubled in the last year, while heroin use has tripled nationwide. 

"This is about an all hands on deck approach so that together, we can save the lives of thousands of Marylanders," he said.