Harford County has been recognized for its efforts to combat the opioid crisis through an arts awareness campaign.
The National Association of Counties awarded the county with its 2018 "Best in Category" award in the Arts, Cultural, and Historic Preservation category.
The award is the second NACo Achievement Award for addiction prevention efforts and the the sixth NACo Award for excellence in three years for County Executive Barry Glassman's administration.
To raise awareness, engage stakeholders and combat stigma, the Harford County Office of Drug Control Policy and partner organizations cultivated cultural arts programs for the community.
Those efforts included a play written and directed by Christie Henzel called "Addicted," a PSA audio-visual competition, and the HOPE Against Addiction Art Contest and Calendar. The programs were reported to have reached more than 175,000 people.
