Safe Stations

August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day, aiming to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have died or had a permanent injury as a result of drug overdose.  International Overdose Awareness Day spreads the message that the tragedy of overdose death is preventable.  Thousands of people die each year from drug overdose, and they come from all walks of life.

Your Anne Arundel County Professional Fire Fighters serve as an integral part in our community’s safety net for addiction resources through the Safe Stations program.  Persons seeking treatment for addiction can visit any police or fire station across the county, day or night, to dispose of any paraphernalia and find assistance gaining access to care. Your Anne Arundel County Professional Fire Fighters provide this service 24 hour a day, seven day a week, continuing the mission of supporting members of the community in crisis. 

In 2019, 808 members of our community have utilized the Safe Station resource.  As of August 20, 2019, we’ve experienced 580 reported overdoses in Anne Arundel County, a 20.7% decrease from this time last year.  Our community lost 91 members due to fatal overdoses, a 26% decrease from the 123 fatal overdoses we’d experienced at this time last year. 

Anne Arundel County residents who need treatment for an addiction have several choices. Both uninsured and insured residents can contact the Anne Arundel County Treatment Referral and Resource Line at 410-222-0117 weekdays for information about certified treatment programs.  Anne Arundel County Adult Addictions program operates two Opiate Addiction Treatment Centers, 410-222-0100 (North) and 410-222-6001 (South), that provide medication-assisted treatment.