WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen David Trone, Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie Raskin, and Andy Harris, M.D. (all Md.) announced $1,648,958 in federal funding for the Maryland Department of Health’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. 

“We must do everything we can to end the opioid epidemic once and for all,” said the lawmakers. “By tracking opioid-related data, the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program is ensuring safe and effective use of prescription drugs in our state. This funding will improve efforts to fight opioid addiction and we will continue to help those with substance use disorder by working with the Maryland Department of Health on effective programs like this one.” 

Last year, there were 2,499 opioid-related deaths in Maryland, more than any year on record. The award comes from the Department of Justice and will be used to improve the reporting of opioid-related data. It will help the Maryland Department of Health prevent further opioid fatalities. 

See here for more information about the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program.

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