November 1st, 2018 by WCBC Radio

The number of fentanyl-related deaths in Maryland reached an all-time high in 2017 and is on track to continue increasing in 2018, officials said, part of a nationwide overdose epidemic being driven by the powerful synthetic drug.  Maryland fatalities caused by fentanyl jumped 42 percent from 2016 to 2017 — from 1,119 to 1,594 — even as deaths related to heroin use declined, according to data released by the Maryland Department of Health. Health Secretary Robert Neall called the rising numbers “staggering.”  Not surprisingly, the opioid epidemic has become the top campaign issue on the county, state and federal level during this election year. In the race for Maryland’s Sixth District seat, which includes Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties, republican candidate Amie Hoeber suggests that the problem can best be tackled on the local level…

Democrat David Trone says the problem is too big to be handled by local government…