System Training, Education and Prevention Services (STEPS)
System Training, Education and Prevention Services provides substance misuse prevention programming and harm reduction services to Anne Arundel County residents
122 North Langley Road.Glen Burnie, MD 21012 410-222-6724
Anne Arundel Peers Offering Wellness and Education Resources (AA POWER)
The mission of AA POWER is to reduce the risks associated with drug use, such as overdose and infectious diseases, and to improve the physical, mental and societal health for People Who Use Drugs (PWUD) and our community. AA POWER is a peer-delivered and judgment-free harm reduction program, with a person-first approach and a focus on quality of life outcomes. AA POWER engages people with lived experience and mobilizes community members to conduct direct street outreach to provide risk reduction strategies and harm reduction toolkits.
AA POWER provides comprehensive harm reduction services such as:
- Sterile needles, syringes and other injection equipment
- Safe disposal containers for needles and syringes
- Fentanyl test strips
- HIV and hepatitis testing and linkage to treatment
- Education about overdose prevention and safer injection practices
- Referral to substance use disorder treatment, including medication-assisted treatment
- Referral to medical, mental health and social services
For more information about AA POWER, call 410-222-1842 or email AAPOWER@aacounty.org.
Fatal Overdose Review Team (FORT)
The FORT promotes cooperation and coordination among agencies involved in investigations of drug overdose deaths or in providing services to surviving family members. This multidisciplinary team conducts multidisciplinary, multi-agency reviews of
- Available information about a decedent
- Identifies points of contact between deceased individuals and healthcare, social services, criminal justice, and other systems
- Identifies the specific factors that put individuals at risk for drug overdose within Anne Arundel County
- Improves coordination and collaboration between member agencies/entities
- Makes recommendations to state and local authorities for changes to statute, regulation or agency policies and procedures to further the development of overdose prevention initiatives
Opioid Misuse Prevention Program (OMPP)
OMPP follows the Strategic Prevention Framework to implement the following evidence-based opioid misuse prevention strategies:
- Social marketing campaign titled “Denial Is Deadly”
- Community presentations to educate the general public regarding safe monitoring, storage and disposal of prescription opioids
- Outreach to health care providers and pharmacists with an opioid misuse patient education guide
- More information on OMPP can be found at www.DENIALisDEADLY.org.
Overdose Response Program
This program offers free training and a free naloxone kit to community members on the use of intranasal naloxone, a prescription medicine to reverse an opioid overdose and prevent death. The training is for at-risk individuals, family members, friends and the associates of any individual who is using and at risk of overdosing on heroin or prescription pain medications. The training is also for anyone who works with the public and is recommended for treatment, recovery and transitional housing staff. Teens under age 18 may take the training if accompanied by a parent or guardian.
After completing the training, participants will receive a free kit that contains naloxone to administer to victims of an opioid overdose. Naloxone cannot be used to get “high” and is not addictive.
To register or for more information, call the Naloxone Training Line at 410-222-1937, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Strategic Prevention Framework Coalitions
The coalitions mobilize the community to decrease underage drinking and substance misuse through environmental strategies. Learn more at www.PreventSubstanceMisuse.org.
- Annapolis Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) Coalition works in the City of Annapolis and surrounding Annapolis area. ASAP can be reached at asap@preventsubstancemisuse.org.
- Northern Lights Against Substance Misuse (NLASA) Coalition works in Brooklyn Park, Curtis Bay, Glen Burnie and Pasadena. NLASA can be reached at nlasa@preventsubstancemisuse.org.
- South County Bridges to a Drug Free Community (Bridges) works in Churchton, Davidsonville, Deale, Dunkirk, Edgewater, Friendship, Galesville, Harwood, Lothian, Mayo, North Beach, Riva, Shady Side, Tracy’s Landing and West River. Bridges can be reached at soco@preventsubstancemisuse.org.
- Western Anne Arundel Substance Abuse Prevention (WASP) Coalition works in Ft. Meade, Hanover, Jessup, Laurel, Odenton and Severn. WASP can be reached at wasp@preventsubstancemisuse.org.
Strengthening Families
The Strengthening Families Program (SFP) is a 14-week evidenced based program that teaches family and social skills to parents and children. The program is developed for parents/caregivers and their children (6-17 years old). It involves parents and children working together to form stronger bonds and healthier relationships. SFP is designed to reduce environmental risk factors and improve protective factors. Its overall goal is to increase personal resilience to drug use and other risky behavior in high-risk youth. It is offered at schools around the county and also virtually via Zoom!
For more information, contact Loise Taliaferro, Strengthening Families Program Supervisor, at 410-222-6724or hdtali00@aacounty.org and visit preventsubstancemisuse.org/sfp/.