Unique ‘emergency room’ for addicts to open in Baltimore (Washington Post)

Thursday Mar 29th, 2018

Baltimore is trying a new way to treat people who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, opening up a unique facility that will offer a safe, short-term place for them to recover and connect with other services.

Officials call it a stabilization center, and they secured $6.2 million for it. The center will be the first of its kind in Maryland. Patients who meet the criteria will be taken to the 24/7 center instead of an emergency room.

“According to the recent Surgeon General’s report, only 1 in 10 people with the disease of addiction are able to get the help that they need. For what other disease would we ever find this to be acceptable?” Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen said Wednesday. “This is the beginning of Baltimore’s efforts to create a 24/7 (emergency room) for addiction and mental health.”

More than 700 people died of overdoses in Baltimore last year, she said.

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When I’ve asked experts about these approaches, it’s not that any of them are bad. It’s that they fall short. For instance, Leana Wen, the former health commissioner of Baltimore (and soon-to-be president of Planned Parenthood), said that the Support for Patients and Communities Act “is simply tinkering around the edges.”

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