BALTIMORE (AP) - The Maryland Medical Examiner's Office is searching for additional examiners to help handle a surge in opioid overdose deaths.
The Baltimore Sun reports that the office said earlier this month that it was struggling to perform autopsies in a timely manner and was at risk of losing its accreditation.
There was no money in the state budget for additional medical examiners. However, state officials conducted an internal search for vacant positions and found three. Health Secretary Dennis Schrader approved the transfers of those positions to the medical examiner's office.
It's unlikely the addition of three examiners will fully offset the workload.
Gov. Larry Hogan recently declared the opioid crisis a state of emergency.
