Recent News

Baltimore launches Levels of Care initiative at 11 hospitals (WBAL)

Apr 30th, 2018

The city of Baltimore rolled out a new initiative in the city's 11 hospitals Monday morning for responding to the opioid epidemic.

"There can be no question that this is an emergency and public health crisis," said Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen.

Watch the video.

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Baltimore Hospitals Pledge More Resources For Opioid Users (WJZ)

Apr 30th, 2018

Whether it’s night or day, opioid overdoses in Baltimore are an around-the-clock epidemic. Especially when fentanyl is mixed in; a drug 50 to 100 times more powerful than heroin.

According to Baltimore Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen, “Since 2013, we’ve gone from 12 fentanyl deaths in one year to 500.”

Watch the video here. 

Leana Wenopioids

Baltimore hospitals to play a bigger role in opioid epidemic under city initiative (Baltimore Sun)

Apr 30th, 2018

Baltimore’s 11 hospitals have committed to a new city initiative aimed at increasing their role in fighting the opioid epidemic. 

Executives from each hospital joined Mayor Catherine E. Pugh and Health Commissioner Dr. Leana S. Wen Monday in announcing the efforts to screen patients for addiction, connect them to rehabilitation services and distribute the overdose reversal drug naloxone, among other ways to better help people dealing with substance abuse. 

Read the entire story.

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How the D.C. region is responding to the opioid crisis (D.C. Policy Center)

Apr 30th, 2018

The number of Americans who have died in the ongoing opioid epidemic continues to climb. Between September 2016 and September 2017, more than 45,600 Americans died from overdoses involving opioids. The number of fatal opioid-related overdoses in D.C. more than doubled between 2015 and 2016, and continued to rise in 2017. While Baltimore has not yet published its final numbers for the previous year, preliminary data for the first three quarters of 2017 suggests a similar trend.

Read the entire story.

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Teen Pregnancy Prevention suit against HHS is a huge win for Baltimore City (The Hill)

Apr 30th, 2018

In her op-ed, Dr. Wen explains the importance of Baltimore City's victory in the lawsuit against HHS: 

This ruling is ultimately about our children and their children. I hope that the value of science and evidence will continue to be recognized and I look forward to continuing to fulfill our responsibility of protecting the health and ensuring the well-being of our youth.

Read the entire op-ed.

Leana Wen

Baltimore to Rate Hospitals on Opioid Response (U.S. News & World Report)

Apr 30th, 2018

Baltimore city hospitals soon will be scored on how prepared they are to respond to the opioid epidemic, the city's health department announced Monday. 

Read the entire story.

Leana Wenopioids

Baltimore City Officials Announce Initiative with Hospitals to Improve Treatment for Opioid Use Disorders

Apr 30th, 2018

Levels of Care Proposal Open for Public Comment

BALTIMORE (April 30, 2018) — Today, Mayor Catherine E. Pugh and Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen joined the leadership of all 11 Baltimore City hospitals to announce a new initiative focused on implementing and recognizing best practices for responding to the opioid epidemic within the City’s hospitals.

Leana Wenopioids

City to certify hospitals that adopt best practices for treating opioid addiction (Baltimore Fishbowl)

Apr 30th, 2018

In a new initiative being launched with 11 Baltimore hospitals, the City Health Department plans to certify each one that adopts “best practices” for treating patients who overdose on opioids or are struggling with addiction. 

Read the entire story.

Leana Wenopioids

New Baltimore initiative hopes to more closely involve hospitals in fight against opioid epidemic (Baltimore Sun)

Apr 29th, 2018

Baltimore officials will announce an initiative on Monday meant to give the city’s 11 hospitals incentive to play a bigger role in ending the opioid epidemic.

Read the entire story.

Leana Wenopioids

Baltimore City Officials Urge Residents to Safely Dispose of Unused Prescription Drugs

Apr 27th, 2018

BALTIMORE, MD (APRIL 27) - On Saturday, April 28, Baltimore City officials will recognize National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, a nationwide initiative to highlight safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs in communities, while raising awareness about prescription drug addiction.

Leana Wen

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