Morganza, MD – “This is unlike anything we have seen before, this is pretty much the most illicit drug challenge that we have dealt with in this country,” said St. Mary’s County Health Officer Meenakshi G. Brewster, MD.

The Chopticon High School auditorium was filled with mothers, fathers, victims, and community members who want to make a difference. Young children were the spotlight of this community event, with the idea of putting education and drug-use prevention at the forefront.

“We are no different than anywhere else in the nation, but we are on a smaller scale thanks to events like this,” said Commander of Vice/Narcotics Division, Cpt. Daniel D. Alioto.

A 45-minute film “Chasing the Dragon” was shown at 7 p.m. The film “Chasing the Dragon” has many specific, real accounts of people who have either abused opioids or whose children abused opioids with negative consequences. The film’s title makes reference to the cycle of addiction and users’ pursuit of the ultimate high. 

This film released in February by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

St. Mary’s County Sheriff Tim Cameron (R) stated, “This permeates every level of our society. So it doesn’t matter what your social or economic status is or even what background you have, it affects everybody.”

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office has formed a partnership with the Southern Maryland Young Marines Unit, the FBI Baltimore Field Office and St. Mary’s County Public with the hope that this might prevent further destruction from opioids.

More than 46,000 people die annually from drug overdoses, with half of the deaths caused by opioids and prescription drugs, according to the FBI and DEA.

“We have early intervention and outpatient to medically monitored residential programs which are a detox and long term health service for people who are suffering from this chronic brain disease,” said Dr. Kathleen O’Brien, Ph.D. who is the CEO of Walden/Sierra, Inc.

The St. Mary’s County Health Department offered a free overdose program to individuals after the film screening. Participants learned to understand and respond to an opioid overdose and received a free Naloxone kit.

Contact Charles Seifert at c.seifert@thebaynet.com