Opioid

Baltimore City Health Department Releases Opioid Overdose Infographic

Today, the Baltimore City Health Department released an infographic on opioid-related deaths in Baltimore City from 2011 through 2015.

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Battling Opioids on the Streets, the ER and City Hall (National Press Foundation)

Would we ever tell somebody who has had a heart attack that they need to wait three weeks for treatment? That’s one of the questions that Dr. Leana Wen, health commissioner for the city of Baltimore, asks as she tries to convince public health officials – and the public in general – to rethink their attitudes about addiction. “We know that treating addiction as a crime won’t work,” she said.

To read the entire article, click here.

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Dr. Leana Wen Interviewed on Matter of Fact

Dr. Leana Wen was interviewed by Soledad O'Brien on Matter of Fact on Sepember 13, 2017 about the opioid crisis. WBAL-TV 11 Baltimore televised the interview live. You can view it here.

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Declare a true state of emergency (The Hill)

Several weeks ago, President Trump stated that the opioid crisis was a “national emergency.” To many of us in public health, it was a confusing statement. Just a few days earlier, the president and Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price stated that they would not declare a state of emergency, claiming that emergencies are time-bound and resource-finite situations.

As an emergency physician and Commissioner of Health in Baltimore City — where approximately two people a day die from overdose — I can tell you that is not the case. Addiction is a disease, treatment exists and communities around the country are succeeding in fighting the epidemic.

Read the entire story.

 

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Baltimore City Health Commissioner Responds to Congress’ Passage of Opioid Epidemic Legislation

Today, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen issued the following statement in response to Congress’ passage of legislation to combat the nation’s opioid epidemic, known as The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA).

Opioid