Harris Applauds Opioid Intervention Grant to Cecil County

Statement

Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) today announced the award of a $533,057 federal grant to Cecil County for opioid overdose intervention. Funds were provided by the Department of Justice to support the Cecil County Prevention and Overdose Response and Trauma Support Services initiative (PORTSS), focusing on services to children and families. The PORTSS initiative is a first responder-led project utilizing a multidisciplinary team to direct a coordinated response to overdoses in the region. Cecil County will support children, youth, and families impacted by the opioid crisis by providing services in the following areas: implementation of an overdose response team, connection to community resources and services, tracking and follow-up regarding participation, collecting, analyzing and sharing data, and providing education and training for the community and our professional partners.

Congressman Harris issued the following statement:

"This is great news for Cecil County, which has been one of the early leaders in Maryland in our fight against the scourge of opioid addiction. At a time when overdoses across our state and nation have drastically risen because of the COVID pandemic, grants like these will allow local jurisdictions to directly intervene and save lives. I remain committed to helping all our local communities as they work to proactively respond to the opioid addiction crisis that is once again gripping our nation."

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