Overdose deaths in MD detailed in new dashboard

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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 on overdose deaths from the Rapid Analysis of Drugs (RAD) program.

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 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.

According to the newly released 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

Baltimore City saw 561 overdose deaths over that time period, followed by Baltimore County with 146, Prince George’s County with 113 and Montgomery County with 78.

Reporting by Keith Demko, Salisbury Daily Times / USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect.