$200K private grant to help Baltimore fight opioid epidemic (WBAL)
Tuesday Jul 11th, 2017
Baltimore City health officials announced on Monday a private grant will help in the fight against the opioid epidemic.
The opioid epidemic continues to grow, especially in Baltimore City, but at the same time, resources have not kept pace with need.
Despite millions of dollars being directed to fight the opioid epidemic, people in Baltimore City are still dying in unprecedented numbers. The number of fatal overdoses in Baltimore City involving fentanyl have increased more than 35 times since 2013, according to the Health Department.
The Baltimore City Health Department has drawn national attention for its innovative approach to the opioid epidemic. City health officials revealed some new unconventional measures that they are using.
One innovative approach includes training for members of the community on how to administer the overdose-antidote drug Narcan. It's one way the Baltimore City Health Department is building an army to combat a national crisis in a hands-on, personalized approach to save lives.
"Baltimore City is at the epicenter of the epidemic. A third of the overdoses that occur in the state of Maryland, occur right here in our city," Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen said.