Recent News

"Dr. Wen: Safe Streets Will Continue Despite Arrests" (WBAL Radio) July 19, 2015

Baltimore City Health Commissioner says the Safe Streets program will continue despite recent raid of one of the offices that led to the arrest of two employees. Dr. Wen appeared on Sunday's Maryland's News This Week on WBAL NewsRadio 1090.

"Baltimore issues Code Red Heat Advisory for weekend" (WBAL-TV) July 18, 2015

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for much of Maryland from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. Sunday. Additionally, Baltimore City health officials have issued a Code Red Heat Advisory for Saturday and Sunday with an expected heat index topping 100 degrees. Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen is encouraging people to take precautions when outdoors. "Heat is one of the leading killers for weather-related emergencies. It's really important to stay indoors when possible, drink plenty of fluids, avoid alcohol and don't leave kids and pets in your cars," Wen said.

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Declares Code Red Heat Advisory for Saturday and Sunday

Keep Hydrated and Reduce Outside Activity with Artscape Festivities.

"Raccoon Thrown Out of A Car Tests Positive for Rabies"

On Wednesday, July 15th, a raccoon that was thrown out of a silver sedan near 1610 E. Preston St. tested positive for rabies.  If you think you know the driver or passengers in the vehicle please have them contact the City Hall Operator at 410-396-3100.  An eyewitness saw the raccoon being tossed out of the sedan in a box and contacted Animal Control.   

"Fighting the disease of addiction" (Baltimore Sun Editorial) July 16, 2015

If you have a heart attack, the ER physician doesn't just give you an aspirin and send you home. If your kidneys fail, doctors don't throw up their hands and discharge you because they're short on dialysis machines. But if you're lucky enough to survive a heroin overdose, you might have to wait weeks to get an appointment at a drug treatment center, and even then you're as likely as not to be told there are no beds available.

"Baltimore's 'Don't Die' heroin campaign was created to 'knock people over the head" (BBJ)

Direct. Bold. Punch-you-in-the-face. However you want to describe it, Baltimore City Health Department's new anti-overdose campaign, with its cautionary yellow and black color scheme and DontDie.org website, is certainly different that anything the city has done before.

Don’t Die: Baltimore’s Heroin Task Force Unveils Recommendations

On Monday afternoon, under a billboard reading “DONTDIE.ORG”, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced the release and recommendations of the Mayor’s Heroin Treatment & Prevention Task Force report. Speakers at the press conference included the Mayor, Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen, Rep. Elijah Cummings and representatives of the recovery and treatment communities.

Don't Die Campaign

"How Can Baltimore Reduce The Number Of Heroin Overdoses?" (WYPR) July 13, 2015

Deaths by overdoses of heroin or prescription opioids in Baltimore are alarmingly more frequent: about 25% more people in the city died of heroin overdoses last year than in 2013, and the numbers are growing. State and local officials have been scrambling to figure out a way to stem the surge in overdoses. Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake convened a task force to study the problem and propose solutions. Those recommendations will be released later today. With Sheilah now to give us a preview of them is Baltimore City’s Health Commissioner, Dr. Leana Wen.

"Baltimore's heroin task force has a $20M proposal to reduce overdose deaths" (Baltimore Business Journal) July 13, 2015

Around-the-clock addiction treatment services and a public outreach campaign aimed at addressing stigma around addiction are among a Baltimore task force's recommendations for tackling the city’s heroin crisis. Baltimore's Heroin Treatment and Prevention Task Force on Monday unveiled a $20 million, 10-point proposal for curbing heroin and opioid overdose deaths and expanding treatment support options.

"Baltimore's heroin task force wants 24-hour treatment options to stem overdoses" (Baltimore Sun) July 13, 2015

To stem the growing heroin addiction rates and overdose deaths, a Baltimore task force plans to unveil a more than $20 million proposal Monday that includes around-the-clock treatment options. "What we need to do is move the needle in Baltimore City," said Baltimore Health Commissioner Leana Wen. "There are a lot of partners already working with the city."

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