Recent News

"Heroin Summit" (WBAL-TV) April 15, 2015

Maryland Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford held a summit Wednesday in Baltimore for the Maryland Heroin and Opioid Emergency Task Force.  Baltimore Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen said heroin has been a problem in the city for decades. "We have to focus on saving lives, first and foremost. Second, I want to make sure we see addiction as a chronic disease, which it is. It's just like high blood pressure or diabetes -- there are treatments available, but it is something that can be fatal," Wen said.

Go Orange for Animals in April!

Baseball season in Baltimore is not the only reason to “Go Orange” in April.  April is also the ASPCA’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month when supporters are urged to raise awareness about the problem by “Going Orange for Animals.”  Baltimore City Health Department Animal Control Officers will join the effort in by wearing orange ribbons this month to bring attention to the issue while performing their normal duties.

Go Orange for Animals in April

"Mayor’s Heroin Taskforce Updates Community on Progress" (Afro American) April 8, 2015

More Baltimore residents died as a result of drug overdose than homicide last year, a startling fact in light of how easy it is to prevent opioid overdoses. We know how to prevent deaths, and there are effective treatment options for addiction. The question is, how we get the necessary resources to those who need them most? This was the message at the first community update meeting of the Mayor’s Heroin Treatment and Prevention Taskforce.

In Celebration Of Public Health

She was a first-time teen mom who didn’t know how to care for her newborn daughter. A nurse came to visit her to teach her the ABCs of Safe Sleep. She was so grateful that she committed to finishing her education and became a home-visiting professional herself. He works in some of the roughest areas of Baltimore out of a plain white van.

Health Department PSA On Measles

Just released - watch our PSA where Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen reminds Baltimoreans of the importance for vaccinating children against measles to protect families and communities! This is a great partnership with the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Big Cities Health Coalition!

"Battling Baltimore's Heroin Epidemic" (98 Rock / WBAL AM) April 5, 2015

WBAL's Derek Williams discusses the fight against heroin with Baltimore's Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen.

"Maryland lawmakers rushing to ban powdered alcohol" (Washington Post) April 2, 2015

Alcohol producers have discovered another way for partyers to get buzzed. But public health officials and lawmakers, concerned about the safety of teens and young adults, are scrambling to take a newly approved product off the market. “As a public health leader, emergency physician and mother of three, I must say powdered alcohol is my worst nightmare,” Joneigh S. Khaldun, the Baltimore City Health Department’s chief medical officer, said Thursday during a hearing in Annapolis on legislation that would ban the sale of powdered alcohol in Maryland for two years. “It’s basically alcoholic Tang.”

"New task force to tackle Baltimore's heroin problem" (WBAL-TV) April 1, 2015

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said combating heroin is the kind of work that cannot be done in a vacuum. Baltimore's relatively new Heroin Task Force will be holding its first public forum. "The problems with heroin affect every single one of us here in our city. They affect our community and our city for decades, and so it's critical to be part of the solution, and think through, how can we prevent deaths from overdose? How can we increase access to treatment?" Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen said.

"Tackling The Heroin Crisis In Baltimore" (WMAR) April 1, 2015

Drug and alcohol abuse in Baltimore is a very real issue.  Last year more people died from overdoses then murder in the Charm City.  Heroin is to blame for 143 of those lost lives. "Heroin literally affects every single part of our city,” said Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen.  “It's estimated that we have about 19,000 people in our city who are using heroin."

Who You Gonna Call? The BCHD Bureau of Clinical Services!

Where in Baltimore City can you receive a free HIV test, and be connected to clinical care the same day? When a patient is diagnosed with syphilis, who can engage the community and contact partners, to make sure they are also treated? Family Planning Services? Check. Immunizations for Children?  Check. Dental care, tuberculosis treatment, even an on-site full service Laboratory? Check, check, check!

Rashaunna Redd, Nurse Practioner

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