At the November 7 meeting, Sheriff Ricky Cox and Major David Canning provided  updates on numerous issues.

Here are a few notes from topics reviewed during our discussion:

to date, drug overdoses total 100;

the ages of fentanyl overdoses changed from 20-30 year-olds to 37-45 year-olds (likely due to an increase in fentanyl-laced drugs and easy access);

the DARE curriculum is being used in a few private schools;

the Sheriff's Department created a tentative curriculum to address youth drug use within CCPS requirements for the 2023-2024 school year;

8 Student Response Officers are needed to fully staff the public schools;

the Sheriff's Office increased traffic stops to reduce dangerous driving;

and by the end of next summer, traffic lights will be synchronized from Prince Frederick to Dunkirk to provide control.

The Sheriff distributed three quarterly reports that detail ongoing updates. For more information, visit https://www.calvertcountymd.gov/368/Sheriffs-Office.

Many thanks to Shauna Mayes and Darlene Harrod for providing this news item.