Health Commissioner Says State Report Reinforces Need For Aggressive Response To Combat Overdose Deaths In Baltimore

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A new report detailing drug and alcohol-related intoxication deaths in Maryland reinforces the need for Baltimore to take measures, many of which are newly underway, to aggressively prevent overdose deaths in the city. The report, released today by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, shows a 23 percent increase in drug and alcohol overdose deaths in Baltimore City.  “More people are dying from overdoses than from homicides in our city,” said Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen. “It’s a public health crisis to have people dying from a preventable illness.”

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