Anne Arundel County To Declare Heroin Health Emergency

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Anne Arundel County's executive says he's going to declare a public health emergency as soon as next week in response to the "heroin epidemic" in the region, citing a growing number of deaths related to the highly addictive opioid.

County Executive Steve Shuh says heroin is affecting residents of all races, ages and income levels. He says "it's absolutely" everywhere and the problem will get even worse if it's not taken seriously.

Shuh cites statistics showing that there were 26 heroin-related deaths in Anne Arundel County in the first 26 weeks of 2014. That's more than half the total heroin-related deaths in all of 2013.

The Capital reports that Shuh's emergency declaration will coincide with a similar statewide declaration expected from Gov. Larry Hogan.