Md. Health Officials Work To Combat Overdose Epidemic (WJZ) September 5, 2015

Thursday Sep 10th, 2015

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Combating Baltimore’s epidemic drug addiction. As part of Maryland’s Overdose Awareness Week, new actions are being taken to tackle this health emergency.

Tracey Leong explains.

City and state leaders are implementing the mayor’s overdose plan to encourage treatment and fight the deadly epidemic.

“We are fully recognizing this as a public health emergency and are tackling it first-hand,” said Dr. Leana Wen, Baltimore City Health Commissioner.

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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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