New Maryland Law Strengthens Hospital Response to Opioid Emergencies
A new Maryland law that took effect January 1st requires hospitals to follow specific protocols when treating opioid-related emergencies and mandates patient referrals for continued treatment before discharge.
The Opioid Overdose and Opioid Related Emergency law was championed by the Daniel Carl Torsch Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting those struggling with addiction. The foundation’s Executive Director, Toni Torsch, has a deeply personal connection to the cause – her son Daniel died from a heroin overdose in 2010 at age 24.
“We now have in place a very important part of the community, saying let us help,” Torsch told WMAR-2 News. “Whether they accept the help or not that remains to be seen. It’s their choice, but at least they now have the options.”
Torsch’s own experience trying to find help for her son, including visits to multiple emergency rooms, helped drive her advocacy for the new legislation. She believes the law will provide crucial resources to those battling addiction and ultimately save lives.
While celebrating this legislative victory, Torsch emphasized that more work remains to be done in addressing the opioid crisis in Maryland.
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