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May 8, 2025

Chestertown Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Chestertown

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Mid Shore Health Improvement Coalition Launches Health Careers Website

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The Mid Shore Health Improvement Coalition is proud to announce the launch of a new health careers website, midshorehealthcareers.org for health professional job seekers and employers.

“The healthcare workforce has seen many challenges, especially in rural communities, and our workgroup is dedicated to bringing collaborative ideas and solutions forward”, said Jonathan Dayton, Executive Director of the Maryland Rural Health Association and Chair of the Mid Shore Health Improvement Coalition’s Provider Recruitment and Retention Workgroup.

“The mid-shore is an exceptional area, and we wanted to show it off. An idea emerged to create a website to bring attention to all the fantastic things the region offers for providers and their families, and also serve as a hub for health professional job opportunities. There are video stories of local providers who choose to live and practice here, and direct links to job postings from over 100 organizations in the region. We encourage everyone to explore the website and help us out by sharing throughout your networks.”

 

 

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Mid-Shore Health: The New Science of Orthopedic Care with Drs. Myron Szczukowski and Dr. Sheila Taylor

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When the Spy interviewed Drs. Myron Szczukowski and Dr. Sheila Taylor of The Orthopedic Center in Easton, Dr. Szczukowski made the point that they were the kind of doctors who don’t necessarily save lives, but they make them so much better.

That’s because since 1988, The Orthopedic Center and their long-term partners, Shore Regional Health System, have provided a comprehensive range of orthopedic treatments, from surgeries to non-operative care, across various specialties, including joint replacements and sports medicine.

In our interview, Drs. Szczukowski and Taylor talk passionately about how their field has advanced to such a degree that patients who historically would’ve taken at least a week to heal in the hospital are walking out the next day with a new knee or hip. Equally impressive is how many of their patients don’t even need surgery.

This video is approximately seven minutes in length. For more information about The Orthopedic Center please go here.

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The Plan for For All Seasons Best Girlfriends Weekend

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For the second year in a row, For All Seasons is gearing up for their highly anticipated Best Girlfriends Weekend, set to take place from February 2nd – 4th. The event promises another unforgettable experience, this time at the picturesque Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels, renowned for its five-star amenities and spectacular views.

The lineup of activities for the weekend includes five gourmet meals prepared by talented and renowned chefs, two mix-and-mingle events, and an array of engaging seminars and classes. From mixology sessions to a master class on coffee making, sip and paint, two forms of yoga, a meditation walk, a rom-com movie night, an improv show by Improv Easton, and more, the days are designed to be an entertaining escape. As in the previous year, women from diverse backgrounds across the Eastern and Western Shore, and even beyond, will be joining the festivities.

Mia Cranford

Mia Cranford, Director of Development, emphasizes the flexibility of the weekend’s schedule, “It’s not a camp; you don’t have to do everything. Pick and choose the things that interest you. Spend time with your girlfriends and meet new ones; we have plenty of ways for people to interact and make new friends.” The thoughtful selection of activities aims to create a perfect balance between relaxation and enjoyment.

Scheduled for the weekend is Brittany Krautheim from MacDonald Laser and Vein, who will discuss ‘Aging Gracefully (with a little non-invasive help).’ Stacia Skinner will guide participants on ‘The Art of the Conversation,’ while motivational speaker Carrie-Ann Barrow will delve into the ‘Art of Self-Confidence.’

Also included is a mini session of ‘Living into Your Values,’ part of the For All Seasons’ Dare to Lead program. It will be led by Beth Ann Dorman and Lesa Lee—two of the 300 qualified leaders in the United States. Katie Theeke, VP of Marketing and Communications, said, “This will be an inspirational talk to help people understand how to embrace their vulnerability and authenticity. It also encourages reflection on and learning about their strengths, and living through those strengths.”

The Best Girlfriends Weekend, however, is more than just a winter retreat with friends—it’s also a chance to support For All Seasons’ mission of improving lives through expert mental health services, crisis support, education, and outreach. Cranford emphasizes the backing of the ‘open access program,’ which ensures that those in need can see a mental health professional on the same day, a service located right here on the Eastern Shore and unique to only 500 centers in the United States.

It is important to note that everything (except cocktails and spa treatments) is included in the price of the weekend, making it a perfect rejuvenating experience for attendees. “We expect that all women coming will leave as happy people,” Cranford said, “understanding what For All Seasons is about and how they can help their fellow neighbors. It’s not just about supporting the community; it’s also about bringing in much-needed funds.”

The weekend is sponsored by Tracy Higgs-Wagner- Realtor Meredith Fine Properties and art owner of The Oaks, O’Donnell Laser and Vein, Creative Training Solutions, Scaling Strategies, Shore United Bank, and Wye Financial. The retreat is limited to 68 people, and the price of $899 covers everything (except cocktails and spa treatments) for the two-night stay.

For All Seasons envisions the event growing over the years, not just as an annual gathering but as a significant fundraiser. Said Theeke, “Women who take this time for themselves are doing a really important service to the community and our agency just by being a part of the weekend. It means a lot to us. We can’t do what we do without the support of others.” Cranford added, “It’s a win-win; there’s not a downside to this.”

So, grab your bestie or close friend and head down for a weekend filled with fun, relaxation, and learning—a unique experience supporting a nonprofit that goes beyond the traditional galas and tournaments.

For All Seasons: https://forallseasonsinc.org

For tickets to the Best Girlfriends Weekend retreat, go here.

For sponsorship opportunities, contact: [email protected]

Val Cavalheri is a writer and photographer. She has written for various publications, including The Washington Post.  Previously she served as the editor of several magazines, including Bliss and Virginia Woman. Although her camera is never far from her reach, Val retired her photography studio when she moved from Northern Virginia to the Eastern Shore a few years ago.. She and her husband, Wayne Gaiteri, have two children and one grandchild.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

The Arc and Helping Families Manage Care Expenses

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While increasingly gaining deserved notability for the organization’s commitment and construction of affordable Housing on the Eastern Shore, Port Street Commons being a good example, in recent years, it has sometimes been overlooked by the general population about its core mission.

For more than forty years, The Arc has devoted all of its resources to helping families take care of children with intellectual and physical disabilities. And one way that is done is through The Arc Family Fund.

Established in 2017, the Family Fund has become a beacon of hope for families struggling with the financial burden of therapies, equipment, and educational opportunities for children with disabilities. The innovative fund was created to address the needs often not covered by insurance and beyond the financial reach of many. With a focus on youth under 21, the Family Fund has already disbursed over $90,000 to local needy families.
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Applications for the fund open annually in the spring, with this year’s cycle commencing on February 1, 2024. The Arc meticulously reviews each application, with award decisions announced by March 15. Recipients are notified via email and can receive the grant via mail or direct deposit starting March 16.

Eligibility for the Family Fund requires applicants to be residents of specific counties in Maryland, have a child under 21 with a disability, and submit a complete online application. Preference is given to those who still need government funding and first-time applicants. The Arc Central Chesapeake Region also seeks permission to use recipients’ stories and images for future promotions, aligning with their commitment to community engagement and support.

We asked The Arc’s director of development, Cecilia Helmstetter, to stop by the Spy studio to learn more.

This video is approximately three minutes in length. To learn more about The Arc Central Chesapeake Region please go here. To make a donation to the Family Fund please go here. 

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Palliative Care: Critical Support for Chronic Illness Patients with Christina Ball and Madeline Steffens

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In the evolving field of medical care, palliative medicine has emerged as a critical specialty, offering essential support to patients and families grappling with serious chronic illnesses.

And locally, UM Shore Regional Health Palliative Care nurses Christina Ball and Madeline Steffens have been leading the charge for many years now in making sure everyone on the Mid-Shore knows about these critically needed services.

The Spy sat down with both of them last week to understand more fully how important the program can be for not only those managing their illnesses but their families as well.

Palliative care, as Ball explains, is not just about managing an illness; it’s about understanding the patient’s story – their journey through health, how they arrived at their current state, and their aspirations for the future. This approach, deeply rooted in patient-centered care, extends beyond the individual to encompass family support, acknowledging the widespread impact of chronic conditions like heart failure, cancer, lung disease, or Parkinson’s on both patients and their support networks.

Steffens emphasizes the role of palliative care in providing ongoing support, not just at the time of diagnosis but throughout the disease’s progression. This specialty does not replace the need for disease-specific specialists; rather, it complements their care by helping to piece together the broader picture of a patient’s health.

This video is approximately six minutes in length. For more information about palliative care services please go here.

 

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Enter Xylazine: Workgroup Highlights Increase of “tranq dope” in Opioid Crisis

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As the opioid crisis continues, efforts to combat the problem are likely to be a point of interest in the upcoming 2024 Maryland General Assembly session.

“The opioid epidemic persists, though the primary substances involved in overdose fatalities are evolving. State efforts are in place to address continued behavioral health needs,” Department of Legislative Services analysts wrote in a report previewing likely topics of legislation.

The ever-evolving opioid crisis is complicated by the rise in fentanyl and other drugs that increase the chances of fatal overdoses. One of the drugs being tracked by state officials is xylazine, a veterinary medicine that has been more frequently found in fatal fentanyl overdoses, according to the Maryland Xylazine Workgroup and Maryland Overdose Data to Action Team.

To study the issue further, the workgroup was established as part of the Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) implementation, a federal program out of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that provides states with data to combat fatal and non-fatal overdoses.

“Xylazine is an emerging public health threat that could exacerbate the overdose crisis, complicate overdose prevention, and further drain already limited public health resources,” according to a report from last year that was recently updated with data from 2023.

While xylazine has been used in combination with opioids for more than a decade, the presence of it in overdoses have been increasing over the past few years. The drug is sometimes referred to as “tranq” and “zombie drug” and can lead to skin wounds and ulcers.

The workgroup’s report was initially released in 2022, but added an addendum in mid-November with data on drug paraphernalia samples that continues to show a large presence of xylazine.

Xylazine is not currently approved for human use. It is a respiratory depressant that is used as a sedative for animals, and is also used in euthanizing dogs. However, it can enhance and extend the effects of opioids, and is often used in combination with illicitly manufactured fentanyl or other drugs.

“The combination of xylazine and IMF (illicitly-manufactured fentanyl) can overpower the autonomic nervous system and increase respiratory distress to the point of overdose. In addition to increasing risk for overdose, xylazine is resistant to overdose reversal with naloxone. Therefore, xylazine could lead to increases in non-fatal and fatal overdose and decrease the efficiency of naloxone distribution, which is among the most effective population-based strategies for overdose prevention,” the report says.

The report notes that from 2012 through 2021, there were 926 total xylazine-related deaths in Maryland, but “nearly all occurred in 2020 … or 2021,” when there were 344 and 446 deaths recorded, respectively. Overall, there was a significant increase in xylazine-related deaths in the later years of the dataset.

The report looked at post-mortem toxicology screenings of people who had died from unintentional overdoses in 2021, and found that out of 2,496 people who died of opioid overdose, almost 28% were xylazine-positive, an increase from a 2020 estimate of 17.1%.

The report notes that nearly all of the fatal overdoses that were xylazine-positive had illicitly manufactured fentanyl as a cause of death, “which strongly suggests that xylazine is being used in combination with fentanyl.”

About 60% of the 2021 xylazine-positive fatal overdoses were connected to either Baltimore or Baltimore County. The workgroup suggests that there needs to be continued attention on the geography and the demography of xylanzine-involved fatal overdoses, as Black people are over-represented in the fatal overdose data.

“Data from 2021 highlight notable disparities. Most xylazine-involved overdose deaths occurred in the greater Baltimore area, and 41% of xylazine-positive overdose decedents are Black, despite that Black people comprise 30% of the state’s population,” the report says.

Of the 2,496 Marylanders who died from a xylazine-related overdoses that year, 1,808 were men and 688 were women.

From September 2020 to December 2021 the proportion of overdose deaths that were classified as xylazine-positive exceeded 15%, with an average increase in the proportion of xylazine-positive deaths of 3.2% each month. The data shows that 25.5% of fatal opioid overdoses were xylazine-positive in December 2021.

New data added

While the recent report update does not yet have xylazine-related overdose data for 2023, it provides another angle to assess the xylazine situation in Maryland, through testing for the presence of xylazine in drug paraphernalia.

Maryland’s Center for Harm Reduction Services tested drug paraphernalia samples to track changes in drug-use trends during October 2021 through May 2023 from 15 syringe service programs, which aim to reduce overdoses by providing a safe and clean environment to use drugs and can offer additional help for people who are trying to quit. The samples are provided by clients voluntarily.

The report found that xylazine was identified in 40.2% of paraphernalia samples during that timeframe. The xylazine-positive samples have been most prevalent in Calvert, Cecil, Frederick, Howard and Wicomico counties, the report notes.

However, there was is a slight decrease in percentage of xylazine-positive samples from May 2022 to April 2023, the report shows.

In May, 318 samples were positive for xylazine, which dropped over the year to 157 samples in December 2022. There was a brief increase in January 2023 to 250 samples positive for xylazine, but that also decreased month by month to 166 positive samples in April 2023.

“There was concern that medetomidine, another veterinary substance, might become more prevalent as slightly lower rates of xylazine continue to be the trend,” the report notes, further highlighting the complicated and ever-changing nature combating the opioid crisis. However, current trends also show a slight decrease in medetomidine use too.

The report says that the new drug sampling data can also be used for additional informational efforts to raise awareness about xylazine, connect people to resources and provide information on wound care that may result from xylazine exposure.

“This drug checking data has been used to further wound care efforts in the state around xylazine, through wound care training, xylazine informational flyers for the general public, people who use drugs, and providers, and linkage to care efforts,” the report concludes.

By Danielle J. Brown

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Some of the Longest Emergency Room Wait Times in Maryland Can Stretch Almost a Whole Day

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With increased risks of food poisoning, burns from cooking, car accident injuries and the rise of wintertime ailments like the flu, the holiday season can result in more trips to emergency rooms.

But in Maryland, higher rates of emergency room visits may exacerbate an existing issue: it can take hours or close to a day between arriving at the emergency room and actually receiving care. State and local officials are trying to determine why emergency room wait times are so long in Maryland.

Wait times in the state are longer than the national average, according the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission, which oversees and regulates hospital rates in the state.

According to September data, the shortest median wait time, from arrival to inpatient admission, was about 3.3 hours, or just over 200 minutes, at Atlantic General in Berlin on the Eastern Shore. In 2020, the median emergency room wait time in the United States was 286 minutes, or 4.7 hours, according to U.S. News.

September data for Maryland show that Atlantic General was the only emergency department that fell below what was the national median in 2020. The remaining 39 emergency rooms reported a median wait time of over 5 hours.

And some of the longest wait times in Maryland can take almost a whole day, according data from the commission.

That includes the University of Maryland Medical System’s emergency department in Easton. In September, the UM Shore Medical Center saw a median wait time of 1,400 minutes, just under 24 hours, from when a patient arrived at the facility to when they are admitted.

The next longest median wait time was Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, with over 16 hours from arrival to inpatient admission in September. MedStar Harbor Hospital’s in Baltimore emergency department had a 700 minute median wait time — more than 11 hours. Those three emergency departments had the longest wait times and each reported a “high volume” of patients during the data collection period.

And wait times don’t include how long it takes to receive care for any injury or ailment that brought you to the emergency room.

The Health Services Cost Review Commission has collected “aim statements” from emergency departments to help track how each facility will work towards improving wait times.

Johns Hopkins Bayview says it plans to reduce the wait time “between when a patient is assigned to a unit/bed on selected services and the time the patient departs the Emergency Department by 10% by March 30, 2024.”

Atlantic General has a couple smaller goals. It wants to reduce by 1% the number of patients who left before being seen by a physician and achieve a median length of stay of 120 minutes or less by March 1, 2024.

While not all emergency departments made clear how they would accomplish those goals, many hospitals said that they will rework the discharge process in order to improve turnaround times, therefore allowing patients to be seen more quickly.

Prince George’s County task force

The longstanding issue of long wait times in emergency rooms is pervasive across the state, and some counties are working independently to correct the issue.

Last week, the Prince George’s County Council approved a new workgroup to research and resolve long wait times, and that process can shed light on the complexity of trying to solve the issue.

Council Vice Chair Wala Blegay (D) sponsored the resolution and noted that the issue of long emergency room wait times are due to a variety of factors, and that there may be several ways to alleviate the issue for Prince George’s County

“We had many stakeholders come here and talk about emergency room wait times, and we’ve all heard from residents throughout the county complaining about emergency room wait times,” she said at the Nov. 14 meeting.

“But we have one of the longest wait times in the country and even in the state. So we have to do something, and this is us taking the first step,” Blegay added.

While crafting the resolution, issues with health care staffing, patient turnaround, and the number of primary care physicians were all raised as factors that result in extended waiting room times.

Eunmee Shim, president of Adventist Healthcare Fort Washington Medical Center, told the council that people without regular access to primary care physicians will be more likely to use  medical services at an emergency room.

What results is called “boarding” of patients, which is when emergency departments have patients who are awaiting care stay in the hallways until a room is available.

“High occupancy rate of hospital beds in the community, starts to create a symptom called ‘boarding’ of the patents in emergency rooms,” Shim told the county council.

“We need more providers in the community where people can get their care through physicians in their offices, not in emergency rooms,” she added.

But Jibran Eubanks, political organizer with 1199 SEIU, raised another issue: the ability to staff emergency rooms.

“Worker to patient ratios in our hospitals are unsustainable and, due to the chronic short-staffing, healthcare workers are overworked and underpaid,” he said. “Patients’ health will continue to suffer if ER wait times remain overly long due to the mismanagement of hospitals which is leading to high turnover for employees.”

For example, he noted that when a room becomes available because a patient has been transferred or discharged, the room needs to be sterilized before the next patient arrives. If there are not enough workers on hand to clean the facility then the turnaround time will be longer.

Prince George’s County’s 17-person task force is to be comprised of hospital representatives, a state delegate or senator representing Prince George’s, nurses, emergency room staff and an emergency room physician, among others.

By Danielle J. Brown

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

The Arc’s Port Street Commons Update: A Chat with Angie DeMoreland and GGC’s Ben Harries

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There are more than just a few eyes on The Arc of the Central Chesapeake’s first major project on the Eastern Shore after the organization’s groundbreaking ceremony a few months ago on Port Street in Easton.

Excited by the prospect of not only a first-rate community resource center for The Arc’s traditional clients of those with developmental challenges and two floors of family-friendly affordable housing, the Port Street Commons represents a remarkable new step in creative solutions for the Shore’s accessible housing dilemma.

And given that general interest, the Spy asked The Arc’s Angie DeMoreland, its director of executive operations, and Ben Harries, founder and owner of BuilderGuru Contracting (BGC), one of The Arc’s longtime contractor partners, to give a update on the project. At a time when financing and supply chain challenges can severely set back timelines for any kind of construction, the good news is that Port Street Commons remains on target for a 2024 opening with no budget challenges.

This video is approximately five minutes in length. For more information about The Arc Central Chesapeake Region programs please go here.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Breast Cancer Month: Oxford Resident Bonna Nelson’s Journey

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The Clark Comprehensive Breast Center at University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) marked the beginning of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a brief ceremony in front of the “pink ribbon tree” in the front circle of UM Shore Medical Center at Easton.

It also began this month with a powerful profile of Oxford’s Bonna Nelson’s breast cancer survivor story which can be viewed below:

 

The event was attended by providers staff members from the Cancer Center, the Breast Center and the hospital, as well as representatives from several community partner organizations. It began with welcoming remarks by Ken Kozel, UM SRH President and CEO, followed by a presentation on breast cancer rates and care provided by the Center’s Medical Director, Roberta Lilly, MD, and a testimonial by breast cancer survivor Bonna Nelson, of Oxford, Maryland.

In his opening remarks, Kozel thanked staff and providers of the Clark Comprehensive Breast Center, the Cancer Center and the Leh Women’s Center in Chestertown for their dedication to ensuring that women facing breast cancer in the five-county region have access to life-saving early diagnosis, state of the art treatment and social support strategies.

“Each year, this ‘pink ribbon tree’ – along with a variety of programs provided by the Breast Center team around the region — reminds our community of the importance of early, annual screening for breast cancer,” said Kozel.

Dr. Lilly offered several statistics highlight the breast cancer rates and treatment. She noted that breast cancer is the number two cause of cancer death among all women (and now the number one cause among black and Hispanic women), and that there are 4.1 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. “Last year, we saw more than 2500 patients at the Breast Center – more than 500 were new patients — and provided over 16,000 mammograms,” she said. “We found 145 new cases of breast cancer.”

State of the art 3D mammography with tomosynthesis is provided at the Breast Center, at the Eleanor and Ethel Leh Women’s Center at UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown, and in the UM Shore Medical Pavilions at Cambridge, Denton and Queenstown. Other diagnostic tools offered by the Clark Comprehensive Breast Center include ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and needle biopsy.

In her testimonial, Nelson described the timely, comprehensive plan of care provided to her at the time of her breast cancer diagnosis, and her journey through surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. “We are very fortunate to have access to top quality cancer care here on the Eastern Shore,” she said. “On every step of my journey, I received so much compassionate concern and support from the physicians, nurses and others involved in my care.”

Nelson also expressed her appreciation for the benefits she gained from the YMCA of the Chesapeake’s LiveSTRONG program, which helps people experiencing or recovering from cancer treatment regain their strength, flexibility and confidence. 

The Clark Comprehensive Breast Center is offering a variety of programs during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, including three “Walk for Wellness” events (in St. Michaels, Denton and Easton) coordinated with the YMCA of the Chesapeake; and presentations on breast cancer prevention strategies and screening in Easton and Cambridge. For more information about these programs, contact Catalina Billings, Outreach Coordinator, 410-820-9400, [email protected]. 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Death Rates for People under 40 have Skyrocketed Due to Fentanyl

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A new Stateline analysis shows that U.S. residents under 40 were relatively unscathed by COVID-19 in the pandemic but fell victim to another killer: accidental drug overdose deaths.

Death rates in the age group were up by nearly a third in 2021 over 2018, and last year were still 21% higher.

COVID-19 was a small part of the increase, causing about 23,000 deaths total between 2018 and 2022 in the age group, which includes the millennial generation (born starting in the early 1980s), Generation Z (born starting in the late ’90s) and children. Vehicle accidents and suicide (about 96,000 each) and gun homicide (about 65,000) all took a cumulative toll from 2018 to 2022, according to a Stateline analysis of federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.

Overdose deaths, however, took almost 177,000 lives in that time.

Accidental overdose became the No. 1 cause of death in 13 states for people under 40, overtaking suicide in nine states and vehicle accidents in five others; it’s now the top cause in 37 states. The only other change was in Mississippi, where homicide became the main cause of death, overtaking car accidents. In 40 states and the District of Columbia, overdose was the biggest increase in deaths for young people.

In Maryland, homicide remains the leading cause of death for people under 40, but accidental overdose is the fastest-growing cause of death for the age group, increasing by 73% since 2018.

States are responding to the skyrocketing death rates with “harm reduction” strategies that can include warning of the new danger of recreational drugs laced with deadly fentanyl, training and equipping people to counteract overdoses when they see them, and even considering controversial supervised drug use sites to keep addicts safer.

A “fourth great wave” of accidental overdose deaths driven by drugs spiked with powerful fentanyl is now washing over young America, said Daliah Heller, vice president of drug use initiatives at Vital Strategies, an international advocacy group that works on strengthening public health.

Prescription opioids led to one surge in drug dependency from 2000 to 2016, then when supply waned in response to crackdowns, users turned to heroin, synthetic opioids and finally fentanyl, which is 50 times more potent than heroin and easier to get in the pandemic, Heller said.

‘Very common’ experience

Jonathan Diehl of Silver Spring, Maryland, died in 2019 at age 28 after using heroin he likely did not know was spiked with fentanyl, said his mother, Cristina Rabadán-Diehl. Jonathan Diehl earned a degree in construction management and was starting a promising new job in home heating and air conditioning four days before he died, his mother said.

“I think Jonathan’s trajectory was very common,” said Rabadán-Diehl, who now works as an adviser on substance use disorders. “He started with opioid pills, and when the government started putting restrictions on prescriptions, he as well as millions and millions of Americans transitioned into the illegal market. And then fentanyl made its appearance.”

Now, a fresh wave of overdose deaths — different from the first three — is fed by fentanyl making its way into all kind of recreational drugs, and by pandemic isolation that led to more solitary drug use, Heller said.

“Somebody might think they’re getting a Xanax [for anxiety], or methamphetamine or cocaine,” Heller said. “They have no experience with opioids, it’s not what they’re expecting and now they have a much higher risk of overdose and death.”

Authorities generally classify overdose deaths as an accident or suicide based on individual investigations of the circumstances surrounding each death.

States struggling the most with deaths of young people, driven mostly by accidental overdoses, include New Mexico, which eclipsed West Virginia and Mississippi since 2018 to have the highest death rate in the nation for people under 40 — about 188 deaths per 100,000, up 43% since 2018.

Other states with high death rates for the age group include West Virginia (170 deaths per 100,000), Louisiana and Mississippi (164), and Alaska (163).

In New Mexico, where accidental overdoses became the main cause of death for people under 40 in 2022, overtaking suicide and rising 90% to 394 deaths since 2018, the overdose problem has generally been concentrated in poverty-plagued rural areas such as Rio Arriba County on the Colorado border.

Democratic state Rep. Tara Lujan, who has relatives in that county, sponsored harm reduction legislation signed into law last year. It is similar to laws in many other states that include wide distribution of naloxone to reverse overdoses, legalized testing equipment for deadly additives like fentanyl, and good Samaritan laws that allow friends to report overdoses without legal consequences for their own drug use.

Lujan hopes to reintroduce a bill that would create so-called overdose prevention centers or harm reduction centers where drugs can be used in a supervised and safe environment. The legislation died in committee this year after Republicans called the idea “state-sponsored drug dens.”

“It’s all issues that were in place before the pandemic, but the pandemic made everything completely off the rails,” Lujan said. “My committee meetings have been packed with family members saying, ‘We know they won’t quit on their own, but we don’t want them to die.’”

Only New York City has two such facilities in operation, run by advocates; the sites claim some success in reversing overdoses. But federal law enforcement authorities are threatening to shut them down without a specific state mandate, since otherwise they fall under a federal law banning operations that allow illegal drug use on-site.

In California, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom last year vetoed legislation that would have allowed jurisdictions to open safe injection sites, saying they “could induce a world of unintended consequences” in cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco and Oakland.

“Worsening drug consumption challenges in these areas is not a risk we can take,” Newsom wrote in a veto message.

Rhode Island is the only state so far to pass legislation allowing supervised drug-use sites as a pilot project, in 2021, but has yet to open any centers. New legislation introduced this year would push the expiration of the pilot project from 2024 to 2026.

Bills on the same topic of supervised drug-use sites were under consideration this year in Colorado, Illinois and New York but did not pass.

In a sign of the impact on young people, a Massachusetts bill would have required all state university dorm assistants to have naloxone training to reverse overdoses, but it stalled.

New Hampshire is one of several states experimenting with vans that go to known drug-use locations and offer overdose prevention supplies and advice.

Death rate disparities

The lowest death rates for young people in 2022 were in Hawaii (78), Massachusetts and Rhode Island (79), and Utah and New Jersey (80). Massachusetts and New Jersey were the only states to see decreases in overall deaths for people under 40 since 2018, and also had drops in overdose deaths, although overdose remained the No. 1 cause of death for young people in both states.

Nationally, accidental overdoses dominated the increase in deaths in residents under 40 across racial and urban-rural divides, but many disparities exist. The increase in young overdose death rates was 154% for Black Americans, 122% for Hispanic residents and 37% for white people, yet even for white residents they represented the largest increase.

The largest urban areas saw increases in overdose death rates of 70%, and rural areas 64% — the largest increases in both areas for any cause of death.

Across races and age groups overdose death rates are higher for men and slowed in 2017, but picked up again after 2018 and skyrocketed in the pandemic until 2021, according to a federal National Center for Health Statistics data brief published last year.

By Tim Henderson. Danielle E. Gaines contributed to this report. 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.