Maryland Special Secretary of Overdose Response, Emily Keller, Tours Queen Anne’s County to Highlight Local Initiatives on Substance Abuse Prevention and Recovery Support
On Wednesday, September 25, Queen Anne’s County welcomed Maryland’s Special Secretary of Overdose Response, Emily Keller, for a comprehensive tour to observe the county’s efforts in combatting substance abuse and supporting recovery.
Special Secretary Keller began the tour at the Queen Anne’s County Department of Health, where she met with local leaders working in addiction recovery. The department’s Peer Support team shared their ongoing work, including efforts in the county detention center, walk-in services, and one-on-one peer support. This summer, they distributed 600 Narcan kits to the community, providing critical life-saving resources. All peer support specialists are local residents with lived experience in recovery, giving them unique insights into the challenges faced by individuals battling addiction.
The team also supports the county’s Problem-Solving Court, though they noted the absence of treatment centers and recovery homes within Queen Anne’s County as a significant challenge. Other services offered include referrals for medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioids and alcohol, harm reduction programs, and community education. Additionally, the "One Box" initiative, which supplies overdose response kits to nonprofits and businesses, has proven to be a successful tool in saving lives.
At the Queen Anne’s County Board of Education, Secretary Keller learned about the Opioid Education and Prevention Program, which has made substantial progress with the support of the Maryland’s Office of Overdose Response Grant (MOOR). Highlights include the upcoming BOTVIN Life Skills Training for 3rd and 5th graders, an annual student poster contest, and billboard campaigns that will be featuring Aria Francesconi's (former QACHS student) 2024 Opioid Awareness Poster Contest entry. The Drug-Free Student Ambassadors program was also celebrated for logging nearly 1,000 service hours and placing in the top six of the SAMHSA 2024 National Fentalert Challenge for their escape room project.
Secretary Keller then visited the Queen Anne’s County Chamber of Commerce to discuss the community’s involvement in the QAC Goes Purple campaign. This year’s kickoff event, held at the Queen Anne’s County Soccer Club opening day, engaged hundreds of local children and distributed over 800 T-shirts. The Chamber’s role in the campaign includes community outreach, providing educational materials, and collaborating with local businesses to distribute "One Box" overdose response kits. The Chamber emphasized the importance of creating a safe space for the community to ask questions and seek support.
The tour concluded at Old Love Point Park, where a portion of the Cross Island Trail has been dedicated to opioid awareness. This section of the trail, lined with purple flowering plants and benches dedicated to those who have lost their lives to addiction, serves as a place of reflection for the community.
Director Steve Chandlee commented that the Parks and Recreation Department wanted to help spread the awareness all year after witnessing the success of the QAC Goes Purple efforts in September. There are plans to expand the Opioid Awareness Trail, with additional sections in Centreville and Church Hill.
Jim Moran, President of the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners, highlighted the success of the county’s collaborative outreach efforts, saying, "Since the launch of QAC Goes Purple in 2018, our work has helped to reduce overdoses and fatalities. Our goal is to continue educating our community, particularly our youth, to prevent addiction before it begins."
Sheriff Gary Hoffman added that it was very important to not only bring awareness but also emphasize that these are our family and community members and not just statistics.
For more information on the initiatives discussed during the tour:
Picture 1 - Picture L-R: Edwin Gibbs, Director, Ann Simpers, Mid Shore Behavior Health, Michelle Lewis, A/D Professional Counselor, Supervisor, Emily Keller, Special Secretary of Overdose Response, Brooke Todd, Peer Support Supervisor, Jennie Burris, Deputy Health Officer, Kirby Kimbles, Peer Support Specialist, Angulo Potts, Peer Recovery Specialist
Picture 2 - Picture L-R: Dr. Matthew Kibler, Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Patricia Saelens, Superintendent, Julie Kille, Opioid Education and Prevention Coordinator, Maggie Porciello – Lead Ambassador, Drug Free Student Ambassadors, Emily Keller, Special Secretary of Overdose Response, Helen Bennett, Board of Education President, Matthew Evans, Director of Student Services
Picture 3 - Picture L-R: Tracy Wilson, Queen Anne’s County Chamber of Commerce, Kathy Wright, Queen Anne’s County Drug Free Coalition, Emily Keller, Special Secretary of Overdose Response, Linda Friday, President of the Queen Anne’s County Chamber of Commerce, Scott Haas, Director of the Department of Emergency Services
Picture 4 - Picture L-R: Robbie Blackiston, Parks Superintendent, Steve Chandlee, Parks and Recreation Director, Emily Keller, Special Secretary of Overdose Response, Jim Moran, President of the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners, Gary Hofmann, Queen Anne’s County Sheriff, Kathy