On Monday, I was honored to join President Bill Clinton to discuss the opioid epidemic. Our conversation centered on what we CAN do to save lives. The problem is complex, but there are solutions that work, including many of our pilots here in Baltimore for blanket prescriptions of naloxone, expanding treatment access, and fighting stigma. Thanks to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health for hosting the day and to our other tremendous leaders who were there including Baltimore's own Representative Elijah E. Cummings!
“While the final report issued today by the President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis addresses critical aspects of the fight against the nation’s opioid epidemic, it does not go nearly far enough."
“A state of emergency is long overdue,” said Baltimore Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen, a national voice on the issue. “Imagine if this was ebola and there were over 100 people dying a day. There’d be no question.”
On Thursday, President Trump announced that he was declaring the opioid epidemic to be a public health emergency, rather than a national state of emergency. For access to the complete story click here.
BALTIMORE, MD (October 25, 2017)– Health officials and families from across Baltimore City will join in an evening of celebrating eight years of success in reducing infant mortality rates.
Baltimore, MD - Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen today issued the following statement in response to the President’s designation of a state of emergency for the opioid epidemic...
This week was my first full week back. Nine weeks ago, my husband and I welcomed our son, Eli, into the world. These weeks have been the happiest of my life, but they have also been among the most challenging. I wrote about my experience being a new mother, and how raising a newborn gave me even more passion for our work to provide resources and support, and to serve the most vulnerable.
The declaration of an opioid emergency by President Trump has put the focus on the need for treatment. And now some communities are asking who will pay. NPR's Allison Aubrey reports on the rising costs of treating the epidemic.
