The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) coordinates the county’s Overdose Prevention Team (formerly known as Opioid Intervention Teams), which meets quarterly. The team is responsible for developing a local strategy to reduce overdoses in their communities and hosting meetings to discuss updates. Teams bring together representatives from various local agencies to identify gaps in resources, share relevant data, and promote collaboration.
Each Overdose Prevention Team is chaired by the local health department, has a co-chair from any local partner organization (co-chair can be from any local government agency or community organization), and includes partners from local agencies, providers, and community groups. Pursuant to Executive Order 01.01.2023.21, Overdose Prevention Team participants include:
- Health
- Social services
- Education
- Public safety agencies, including law enforcement, fire service, and emergency services
- Harm reduction programs
- Recovery support programs
- Treatment providers
- Community and faith-based organizations
