September 1st, 2022 by WCBC Radio

Reported opioid overdoses in Cumberland were down more than 50% in the first six months of 2022 when compared to the same time period last year. According to recent statistics non-fatal opioid overdoses reported to police from January to June 2022 totaled 39, compared to 97 during the same period last year. Fatal overdoses fell from nine to six over the same period. While overdose numbers are fluid, local law enforcement and health officials are encouraged by those first half numbers. Maryland’s Lt Governor Boyd Rutherford has headed the state’s heroin and opioid task force since it was established in 2015. He says even when a community shows progress- that doesn’t mean the crisis is ending anytime soon…

He said although the COVID-19 pandemic took much of the focus away from the opioid issue in the past three years-  the epidemic remains…