A number of Maryland laws went into force at the beginning of the new year.
The Opioid Overdose and Opioid Related Emergency law falls under this category.
Hospitals are now required to treat opioid-related emergencies according to certain guidelines.
Additionally, before releasing patients who have struggled with opioid emergencies, hospitals must refer them for additional treatment.
OD Deaths in Focus
A nonprofit organization that supports those who battle addiction is the Daniel Carl Torsch Foundation.
For years, the group pushed for the new law to be passed.
The Executive Director is Toni Torsch.
This problem is personal to her.
In 2010, at the age of 24, her son Daniel passed away due to a heroin overdose.
According to Torsch, they had trouble getting assistance.
She recalls visiting multiple emergency departments.
She thinks the new law will make it possible for those who are battling addiction to access the resources they require.
This new measure will save lives, Torsch tells WMAR-2 News.
“A very significant component of the community has now been established, saying, Let us assist. It is yet unknown if they will accept the assistance. At least they now have options, but it’s up to them,” Torsch said.
Even though the new law was passed, Torsch says more needs to be done.