Prevention and Promotion Unit
Local Addictions Authority
The Prevention and Promotion Unit is part of the Harford County Health Department’s Local Addictions Authority (LAA), which coordinates substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery services in Harford County.
This unit provides overdose prevention services, education, outreach, care coordination, survivor support, and system review activities to support individuals and families in our community.
All services are free, confidential, and available to all individuals. No insurance is required.
For information or assistance, contact:
Joseph Cozzati
Prevention and Promotion Unit Supervisor
443-613-6915
joseph.cozzati@maryland.gov
What We Provide
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Overdose Prevention and Response
This program provides education, tools, and resources to reduce the risk of fatal overdose.
Naloxone (Narcan®) Distribution and Training
Naloxone is a medication that can reverse an opioid overdose and restore breathing.
We provide:
- Free naloxone kits
- Overdose recognition and response education
- One-on-one and group training
- Community and organizational trainings (virtual or in person)
Trainings are available for:
- Individuals and families
- Businesses
- Faith-based organizations
- Government agencies
- Medical providers
- Behavioral health providers
- Community organizations
To request naloxone or schedule training, contact:
Samantha Dorsch
Overdose Response Program Coordinator
443-243-1241
samantha.dorsch@maryland.gov
Community Partnership with ShopRite
The Prevention and Promotion Unit partners with local ShopRite pharmacies to expand access to naloxone and overdose prevention resources throughout Harford County. This partnership helps ensure that individuals and families can access life-saving supplies and information in convenient community locations.
Drug Checking Supplies
Free test strips are available to help individuals better understand overdose risk in the local drug supply.
Available supplies include:
- Fentanyl Test Strips
Detect the presence of fentanyl in substances.
- Xylazine Test Strips
Detect xylazine, a veterinary sedative increasingly found in the drug supply. Xylazine may cause heavy sedation and serious skin wounds. Naloxone does not reverse xylazine; however, naloxone should always be administered during a suspected opioid overdose.
- Medetomidine Test Strips
Detect medetomidine, another veterinary sedative that may increase prolonged sedation and breathing complications when combined with opioids.
All supplies are provided at no cost.
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Overdose Prevention Care Coordination / Management
Overdose Prevention Care Coordination provides individualized support for people who are at risk of overdose or who need help navigating health, treatment, and social services.
This service includes:
- Intake and needs assessment
- Individualized safety and wellness planning
- Referrals to substance use treatment, mental health care, and medical services
- Connection to housing, benefits, transportation, and community resources
- Follow-up within 72 hours of enrollment and ongoing check-ins
- Assistance navigating complex service systems
- Coordination with providers and community partners
- Warm handoffs when possible to support continuity of care
Services are voluntary, confidential, and person-centered.
To access Care Coordination services, contact:
Jack Latchford
Overdose Prevention Care Coordinator / Manager
410-877-2345
jack.latchford@maryland.gov
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Overdose Survivor Outreach Program (OSOP)
The Overdose Survivor Outreach Program (OSOP) is led by Peer Recovery Specialists — individuals with lived experience in substance use and recovery.
Peer Recovery Specialists use their personal experience to:
- Provide encouragement and support
- Help individuals navigate treatment and recovery services
- Serve as advocates
- Connect individuals and families to community resources
- Reduce barriers to care
As part of this program, peer specialists make outreach to individuals who have experienced a non-fatal overdose, typically within 24 to 72 hours when possible, to offer support, resources, and connection to services.
Peer Support Services are available to:
- Individuals who have experienced a non-fatal overdose
- Individuals at risk of overdose
- Individuals at risk of developing a substance use disorder
- Family members and loved ones seeking support
If you or a loved one are at risk of overdose or substance use-related harm, we encourage you to contact the OSOP team.
To reach the OSOP team, contact:
Brandon Yeager
Peer Recovery Specialist
443-862-2671
brandon.yeager@maryland.gov
Valerie Appel
Peer Recovery Specialist
443-787-0759
valerie.appel@maryland.gov
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Local Overdose Fatality Review Team (LOFRT)
The Local Overdose Fatality Review Team (LOFRT) is a multidisciplinary team authorized under Maryland law to review overdose deaths and identify opportunities to prevent future fatalities.
The team includes professionals from public health, behavioral health, healthcare, emergency services, law enforcement, social services, and community organizations.
The purpose of LOFRT is to:
- Review overdose deaths in a confidential setting
- Identify trends and risk factors
- Examine gaps in services and systems
- Develop recommendations to improve prevention and response
- Strengthen coordination across agencies
LOFRT operates in accordance with state confidentiality and data-sharing requirements.
Interested in Participating?
If you work in public health, healthcare, behavioral health, social services, emergency response, law enforcement, or a related field — and believe you could contribute to overdose prevention efforts — you may be eligible to participate.
To learn more about joining the team, contact:
Ben Graul
Local Overdose Fatality Review Team Coordinator
443-987-8416
benjamin.graul@maryland.gov
Who Can Access Services?
Services are available to:
- Individuals at risk of overdose
- Individuals living with or in recovery from substance use disorders
- Family members and loved ones
- Community members and organizations
All services are free.
No insurance is required.
Accessing Services
Harford County Health Department
120 South Hays Street
Bel Air, MD 21014
You may:
- Pick up naloxone and test strips in person
- Receive educational materials
- Schedule training or care coordination services
- Connect with OSOP and other supports
Serving Rural Communities
Harford County includes rural and underserved areas. If transportation or access is a barrier, outreach support and flexible delivery options may be available to assist with obtaining materials and services.
Community Partner Services
Some services are provided by trusted community partners.
Voices of Hope
Voices of Hope offers:
- Opioid-Associated Disease Prevention and Outreach Program (OADPOP)
- Rapid Analysis of Drugs (RAD) Program
To access these services, contact:
Voices of Hope
443-993-7055
