Maryland
Overdose deaths in Maryland, Wicomico County detailed in new dashboard
Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller and the Maryland Department of Health have announced a significant update to the Maryland Overdose Data Dashboard, which now includes data from the Rapid Analysis of Drugs (RAD) program.
Continue reading for the total of overdose deaths in Maryland from March 2025 to February 2026, plus those numbers specific to Wicomico County.
How Maryland tracks overdose deaths
The statewide drug-checking program analyzes the composition of residues from routinely returned equipment submitted by Opioid-Associated Disease Prevention and Outreach Program. The inclusion of RAD data in the dashboard gives treatment providers a clearer, more up-to-date picture of the substances circulating in communities across Maryland.
“Every life lost to overdose is a tragedy, and every life saved is a reminder of why this work matters,” said Lt. Gov. Miller, chair of the Maryland Overdose Response Advisory Council.“By expanding access to real-time data through tools like the RAD program, we are giving communities, treatment providers and public health leaders the information they need to act quickly, address emerging drug threats head-on, and save lives. Maryland is committed to meeting this crisis with urgency, innovation, and compassion.”
The RAD program was launched in 2021 to increase near-real-time data on emerging drug trends to inform overdose response and drug user health. To date, the program has tested more than 6,000 samples from 15 jurisdictions, delivering results directly to participants while helping inform statewide overdose prevention strategies. The program has also been critical in identifying emerging substances, including xylazine and medetomidine, in the drug supply.
Learn more about the RAD program at health.maryland.gov/RAD and explore the Maryland Overdose Data Dashboard at health.maryland.gov/overdosedata.
Tracking overdose deaths in Maryland overall, Wicomico County
According to the newly release data, in Maryland from March 2025 to February 2026 there were:
- 1,287 total overdose deaths
- 990 deaths related to any opioid
- 873 deaths related to fentanyl
During that time frame, there were 21 overdose deaths in Wicomico County, and none in other Lower Shore counties. The Maryland counties with the most overdose deaths were 146 in Baltimore County, 113 in Prince George’s County.
In Maryland, residents can find parades, concerts, history programs, fireworks, volunteer opportunities and family-friendly celebrations leading up to Independence Day.
America250, the national semiquincentennial initiative, is encouraging communities to take part through local commemorations, block parties, service projects and July 4 events. State and local commissions, historical societies, museums, libraries, parks departments and civic groups are also hosting events tied to the milestone.
Open primaries advocate Jeremy Gruber says nearly 100,000 independent voters in D.C. remain locked out of primary elections despite voters overwhelmingly approving open primaries in 2024. On The Final 5 with Jim Lokay, he blames the D.C. Council for refusing to fund the change and says similar efforts are gaining momentum in Maryland, where more than one million independents are also excluded from primaries. Gruber argues that in many one-party jurisdictions, the primary is effectively the election, making voter access even more critical.
Maryland
Federal Disaster Declaration Issued Following April Freeze: New Resources Available for Maryland Agricultural Producers – Washington County
This federal designation makes critical financial assistance available to agricultural producers who experienced significant crop losses due to the sudden freeze. The event caused extensive damage to perennial crops across Maryland, with losses exceeding the 30 percent threshold required for a federal disaster declaration. Many growers are now facing substantial expenses related to crop recovery, plant health, labor, and ongoing maintenance despite having little to no harvestable yield this season.
In addition to freeze-related impacts, many areas of the state continue to experience prolonged drought conditions, further increasing the financial challenges facing Maryland’s agricultural community.
As a result of the disaster declaration, producers in Washington County and 11 other designated primary counties, as well as eligible contiguous counties, may qualify for low-interest emergency loans and other assistance programs through the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA). These resources are intended to help producers recover losses, maintain operations, and support the long-term viability of Maryland agriculture.
Affected producers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency office as soon as possible to discuss available assistance programs and begin the application process.
The assessment of agricultural losses in additional Maryland counties remains ongoing. Additional information, resources, and updates are available through the Maryland Department of Agriculture.
Washington County remains committed to supporting our agricultural community and encourages producers impacted by the freeze event to explore the assistance programs available through this federal disaster declaration.
Click here to view Governor Wes Moore’s announcement.
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