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.

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!

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot is confident his ban on powdered alcohol is “airtight” and that the new fad alcohol, which has public health experts up in arms, will never hit store shelves in Maryland. Franchot supports the bill and on Thursday joined Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen and local doctors at a press conference in Baltimore to call on lawmakers to take action.