ANNAPOLIS, Md — Former Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh has been named executive director of Maryland’s Opioid Operational Command Center (OOCC).
Schuh was appointed by Governor Larry Hogan and will serve as the state’s principal coordinator in the fight against the opioid crisis. He replaces Clay Stamp, who will return to Talbot County as the assistant county manager and emergency services director.
Schuh served as Anne Arundel County Executive from 2014-2018 and in the Maryland House of Delegates for eight years representing District 31. He lost his re-election bid for County Executive to Democrat Steuart Pittman.
In a statement Schuh said, “We aligned our three-pronged approach to fighting the opioid epidemic in Anne Arundel County with the governor’s strategy, and I look forward to working hand-in-hand with our communities and partners across the state to continue to fight this crisis.”
Under Schuh’s leadership, Anne Arundel County launched the Safe Stations program, which designates each Anne Arundel County and Annapolis City fire station, as well as county and city police stations, as a safe environment for individuals looking for assistance to start their path to recovery from heroin and opioid addiction.
The county also created “Not My Child,” an initiative aimed at providing the facts of prescription drug misuse and educating parents, families, and communities on the impact of substance use disorder.
“I know that Steve’s first-hand experience as county executive, including the local programs he championed to help to fight this crisis, will serve our state well as we continue working to save the lives of Marylanders every day,” said Governor Hogan.
“Steve’s work in Anne Arundel County helped to open the community’s eyes to the opioid epidemic and that it is not just one person’s problem, it affects the community as a whole” said Angel Traynor, founder and director of Serenity Sistas’ Inc.
“So much good has come out of his ability to recognize this crisis and go after ways to solve it.”
