BALTIMORE, MD (November 15, 2016)—Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen today announced the start of Baltimore City’s Code Blue program for the coming winter. Code Blue is a multi-agency effort to reduce hypothermia deaths by protecting homeless individuals, seniors and other vulnerable populations from extreme cold weather.

On Tuesday, BCHD staff and volunteers were in the community at five Baltimore City polling stations to teach residents waiting in line to vote how to use the life-saving opioid overdose reversal medication, naloxone. Residents were also able to get their flu shot before or after casting their vote.

As Dr. Wen says, “Every interaction is a point of intervention,” which means that we take every opportunity to teach about opioid use and demonstrate what someone can do to help during an overdose. In 2015, Dr. Wen issued a standing order for naloxone to be available to any person in Baltimore who takes the training.

It's late August and Dr. Leana Wen is standing underneath the soaring dome of City Hall, a bank of cameras pointed at her as she leads a news conference to mark National Overdose Awareness Day.

As Baltimore’s health commissioner, substance abuse and addiction are among her top priorities, not to mention issues of national importance. Last year, more Baltimoreans died from overdoses (393) than from homicides (344). So she’s here—flanked by Senator Ben Cardin, Congressman John Sarbanes, Police Commissioner Kevin Davis, Fire Chief Niles Ford, and others—to sound the alarm about the nation’s opioid overdose epidemic and tout the city’s innovative response to the crisis.

There’s much to tout. In October 2015, Wen became the first health commissioner in Maryland to issue a blanket prescription allowing all Baltimoreans to obtain naloxone, a medication that can reverse an in-progress opioid overdose. The bold move attracted national attention and helped earn her a spot on a panel with President Barack Obama at the National Rx Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit in March.

Atlantic Recording Artist, DLOW, joined two community events on last Saturday, focused on Baltimore’s children and youth. Popularly known for his catchy dance and rap routine, “DLOW Shuffle”, DLOW led dance activities in Gilmor Homes neighborhood and at Bocek/Madison Eastend Community Association’s Tailgate Halloween Party at Bocek Park. The kids immediately recognized DLOW and connected to his music and message right away. From one of Chicago's roughest neighborhoods impacted by poverty, crime and violence, DLOW has first hand experience in the devastating effects of violence and trauma. His message of hope and resiliency is a welcomed message by many kids who identify with his struggles.