Heroin-related deaths in Anne Arundel County have more than doubled in 2016.
It's one of several grim statistics that is on the rise this year.
"We are seeing an increase across the board on possession, overdoses and deaths," Marc Limansky of the Anne Arundel County Police Department said.
As of the Dec. 1, there had been more than 100 deaths related to heroin in Anne Arundel County in 2016. In the previous two years heroin fatalities in the county were in the 40's for the year.
Overdoses overall, not just those that have ended in death, are also up in Anne Arundel. In 2016 alone, the county has seen more than 800 overdoses. In the previous two years, that number was under 400.
Officials say the increase could be in part because there is a heroin task force that is keeping a close eye on the matter.
"For years they were reported. One department wouldn't talk to the other one. We wouldn't have all the stats crossed reference with each other," Limansky said.
