February 6th, 2017 by WCBC Radio
Heroin addiction has officially taken hold in the Mid-Atlantic region. In Maryland alone, 918 overdose deaths from heroin occurred in just the first 9 months of 2016. In Northern Virginia, heroin-related deaths increased 164% between 2011 and 2013 and West Virginia has the highest overdose rate in the nation. From 2010-2016 there’s been a 95% increase in heroin overdose deaths in Allegany County.
Heroin’s reach knows no geographic, social, or economic boundaries. It challenges the futures of young adults, turns law-abiding citizens into criminals, and destroys families.
In an effort to continue to educate the community about the heroin/Opioid epidemic, for the remainder of February, WCBC will be broadcasting a 5 part series provided by the ABC Radio Network “America’s Fentanyl Crisis.”
On Saturday, February 11th, at 6pm, WCBC will be providing a rebroadcast of a locally produced program hosted by WCBC’s Paul Mullan, featuring Pharmacare Pharmacist Dr. Keith Pirolozzi and Retired Major Jim Pyles. The Ask the Pharmacare Pharmacist program breaks down the heroin epidemic, how it's impacting our community and the state of Maryland, and why we as a community need to be paying attention.
Then at 7pm, WCBC will present, Breaking Heroin's Grip: Road to Recovery. This Region-wide simulcast event will uncover the perils of heroin use and highlight stories of hope and recovery. Breaking Heroin’s Grip: Road to Recovery is a documentary and telethon outreach effort produced by Maryland Public Television (MPT) in partnership with the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH)’s Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) that will spotlight the perils of this growing epidemic by allowing addicts and families to tell their dramatic stories in a firsthand and personal way. The program will also examine government efforts to prevent overdose deaths and improve recovery rates. Approximately 30 radio and television stations across the state will be broadcasting the event along with blitzing the web and social media with resource information.
