Prescripton Drug Abuse Abatement Council - 2009-2018

The council no longer meets.  Members now serve on the Overdose Intervention Team led by Dr. Larry Polsky, Calvert County Health Officer, and Al Jeffery, Director, Calvert County Emergency Management. 


Council Members 2017- 2018

  • Candice D’Agostino, Coordinator, Calvert Alliance Against Substance Abuse, Inc.
  • Beverly Dillon
  • Sheriff Mike Evans, Calvert County Sheriff
  • Susan Fischer, Property Supervisor, Calvert County Sheriff’s Office
  • Leo Mallard, Pharmacist
  • James Marcum, Calvert Health
  • Laura Martin, Calvert County State’s Attorney
  • Doris McDonald, Director, CCHD, Behavioral Health
  • Major Dave McDowell, Calvert County Sheriff’s Office
  • Lt. Jimmie Meurrens, Commander, MSP Barrack "U"
  • Dr. Larry Polsky, Calvert County Health Officer
  • Kim Roof, Calvert County Public Schools
  • Cindy Scribner, Supervisor, Calvert County Department of Juvenile Services
  • Amye Scrivener, Supervisor, Calvert County Department of Social Services
  • Joe Windsor, Coordinator, Dr ug Intelligence Information, CCSO

Mission and Upcoming Events

MISSION: The Council will work to educate the community to the dangers of prescription medication abuse and encourage immediate and proper disposal of expired or unused medications.

The Council was created in 2009/2010 to develop strategies to address prescription pain medication abuse in Calvert County. The member agencies partnered on many activities and projects to raise awareness to this deadly occurrence.

In 2015, the State of Maryland provided grant funds to the Calvert County Health Department to establish the Opioid Misuse Prevention Program and in 2017 provided funding for the Overdose Intervention Team (OIT).

So that there is not a duplication of efforts and due to the fact that the majority of Council members serve as OIT members, PDAAC no longer meets.

History

The Council sponsored community forums as a way to educate county residents to the dangers of prescription drug abuse and to develop action steps to address the issue. 

Information at the forums led to the partnership with CAASA and the Calvert County Health Department to sponsor workshops. Started in January 2015 the presentations focused on addiction and enabling. Additional workshops are scheduled each year on topics of interest. Check the events page for more information.

In addition, the Council partners with the DEA on the Drug Take Back days. Held twice a year in April and September, these events provide the community the opportunity to dispose of unused and expired medications safely.

24/7 RX Drop Box Locations

Calvert County Sheriff Office, 30 Church Street, Prince Frederick
Box is located on the porch to the left of the front entry

Maryland State Police Barrack, "U", 210 Main Street, Prince Frederick
Box is located on the sidewalk near the front door

Resource Information

Treatment Services

If you or someone you know are seeking treatment services, please contact Calvert Behavioral Health Services at 410-535-3079. This office can provide you will helpful information regarding treatment options available. Their office is located on Stafford Road in Barstow, Maryland.

A list of available treatment services can be found under the Resource tab.

Support Groups

There are over 60 different support group opportunities available in Calvert County. See the complete list under the Resources tab.

Signs and Symptoms of Opioid Abuse

Narcotic painkillers

Opioids are narcotic, painkilling drugs produced from opium or made synthetically. This class of drugs includes, among others, heroin, morphine, codeine, methadone and oxycodone. Some people who’ve been using opioids over a long period of time may need physician-prescribed temporary or long-term drug substitution during treatment.

Signs and symptoms of narcotic use and dependence can include:

  • Euphoria or feeling "high"
  • Reduced sense of pain
  • Drowsiness or sedation
  • Slurred speech
  • Problems with attention and memory
  • Constricted pupils
  • Lack of awareness or inattention to surrounding people and things
  • Problems with coordination
  • Depression
  • Confusion
  • Sweaty, clammy skin
  • Constipation
  • Runny nose or nose sores (if snorting drugs)
  • Needle marks (if injecting drugs)

Source: "Drug Addiction Symptoms -Mayo Clinic"