December 9, 2019
Media Contact:
Scott L. Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball will join Grassroots Crisis Intervention to open the “New Beginnings Crisis Stabilization” facility on Tuesday, December 10 at 11:30 a.m. on Freetown Road. This facility is an important component of Howard County’s opioid intervention strategy to meet immediate needs for assessment, treatment, referrals and brief overnight housing and food. The County was able to proceed with the facility thanks to a $1 million grant received by the Howard County Health Department as a State Opioid Response Grant from the Maryland Department of Health.
“Howard County is seeing progress on the fight against opioid related addiction, overdoses, and fatalities,” said Ball. “This year we are seeing a 42% decrease in opioid related fatalities and a 14% decrease in non-fatal overdoses as compared to last year. This success is built on the partnerships and engagement from the Howard County government and non-profits such as Grassroots. As we work toward fostering the best quality of life for our residents, we will continue to make progress on combatting opioid use and overdose with the New Beginnings Crisis Stabilization Facility. I thank our Congressional Delegation, Governor, Lt. Governor, Maryland Opioid Operational Command Center and the state and local Health Department for making this facility a reality. The Grassroots Crisis Intervention team deserves a lot of credit for their unwavering dedication and compassion to help the residents of Howard County.”
Crisis stabilization is an essential service to provide so that individuals in need of a referral for substance use disorder treatment can receive immediate screening and intervention services so that they do not experience a delay in entry into residential or outpatient treatment. The period between referral and admission can result in a return to use, overdose, or the individual may need to seek services at an emergency department (ED), which is what crisis services aims to avoid. This grant and treatment facility will help improve outreach efforts, keep needed services in our community and will continue to build on the successes that the Health, Police, and Fire departments have achieved.
County Executive Ball’s efforts toward combatting opioid misuse is part of the “Thriving and Healthy Residents” pillar - an integrated health and human services delivery system to support our vulnerable populations focused on providing facilities and services for our aging residents, improve healthcare opportunities, advance affordable housing, treat substance misuse and mental health issues.
WHO:
Calvin Ball, Howard County Executive
Ayesha Holmes, Director, Grassroots
Nicholas Langhauser, Board Chair, Grassroots
Steve Schuh, Director, Opioid Operational Command Center
Maura Rossman, Howard County Health Officer
Scott Sheldon, Peer Recovery Specialist, Howard County Health Department
WHAT:
Crisis Stabilization Facility at Grassroots
WHEN:
Tuesday, December 10, 11:30 a.m.
WHERE:
Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center
6700 Freetown Road, Columbia