The Harford County Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP) presented an overview of prevention, diversion and treatment initiatives and summarized how the county is using opioid restitution funds (ORF) and the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund (CRF) created after cannabis legalization.

Marcus Webster, ODCP administrator, described prevention programs (including the Pledge program, Question, Persuade, Refer training, Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid, Responders Strong wellness programming for first responders, a school peer‑to‑peer anti‑vaping pilot called Just Goals No Smoke, and the Save A Life impaired‑driving presentation). ODCP also coordinates diversion programs: a Teen Corps voluntary diversion program for youth and a Bridge program in partnership with Springboard Community Services to connect youth to free behavioral health services.

Webster summarized the ORF and CRF spending frameworks. The ORF grants are structured as multiyear awards (the first round was described as multi‑year) and focus on centralized treatment and prevention; ODCP listed awardees for the inaugural ORF round including Rage Against Addiction, Lassos, Ashley Addiction, Voices of Hope, Chrysanthemums and the Ed Lawley Foundation. The ORF framework will track measurable outcomes such as individuals surveyed, participants served through prevention programs and changes in reported adolescent substance use.

CRF funds — aimed at repairing harms from cannabis criminalization and promoting social equity — produced 13 awardees totaling more than $550,000 in the first public round. ODCP said community input guided priorities; a supplemental county survey collected 159 responses and identified top funding priorities as education and after‑school programs, mental health and substance use services, and youth engagement and mentoring. ODCP described a Hartford Education and Reinvestment Trust block grant to Harford County Public Schools that will support mentorship and restorative initiatives.

Webster noted ODCP collected more than 2,000 pounds of unused or expired medications through take‑back events and announced the next drug take‑back day on Saturday, Oct. 25. He said ODCP provides technical assistance and recorded grant‑writing webinars for prospective CRF applicants, and scheduled community input sessions on Oct. 28 and Nov. 19.

Council members asked about grant term lengths and cost reporting; ODCP confirmed ORF awards are multiyear while CRF grants are one year and said the office provides feedback to applicants. Council members praised the office’s outreach and encouraged ODCP to improve data sharing and follow‑up coordination with community partners such as Voices of Hope.

No formal council action was taken; ODCP requested continued engagement and public input for future funding rounds.