Governor Larry Hogan has a meeting with people that have one success story after another about their struggle with opioids and heroin.
One of the main reasons these people can share their story with him is because of Safe Station Program that started here in Anne Arundel County one year ago.
"The day I got clean I walked to Baltimore to Harbor Hospital to have them turn me away. I came to crisis has bent over backward," said a former addict.
"I just had a friend die yesterday," said Tory
The reason Tory is here to share her story about her fight with addiction is because she had the courage to ask for help.
Governor Hogan was the first governor to declare the heroin and opioid crisis a state of emergency.
"This is a crisis that's tearing apart families and communities and it's taking lives. We lost more than 2,000 people last year to overdoses which is more than gun shootings and traffic fatalities together," said
Sean Gerow found this program a few months ago. His 18-year-old son is dealing with addition and his son's mother lost her life because of drugs. For Gerow, getting help right away was critical.
"In the past trying to get into treatment was a long waiting period and for me, with opiates, it was crucial because I needed help immediately," said Gerow.
Getting that immediate help has Gerow thinking what if he did not find this crisis program.
"I overdosed twice in February and more than likely I would probably be dead.... and if not dead, I'd be in jail."
"I'm very grateful for crisis and safe stations because with out them I probable would not be here," said Tory.
"Well God Bless You, I'm glad you turned your life around," said Governor Hogan.
