BALTIMORE — A series of overdoses reported Friday morning in the Penn North area prompted an emergency response by Mayor Brandon M. Scott, first responders, public health officials, and community partners, city officials confirmed.
Early this morning, seven people overdosed, with five being transported to the hospital. Officials said there is a radius of calls in the area as more overdoses are reported in the region.
This is the second mass reporting of drug overdoses in Baltimore in two weeks.
Mayor Brandon Scott said today that officials do not know the source of the bad drugs from either event.
Authorities did not specify the total number of overdoses but said the response included immediate medical care and the distribution of harm reduction resources to those affected. Outreach teams continue to canvas the area to engage with residents and provide access to supplies.
In response, Baltimore officials issued renewed public health guidance to reduce overdose risks. Residents are reminded to call 911 in the event of an overdose and are protected from arrest under Maryland’s Good Samaritan laws. The 988 helpline remains available for 24/7 support and referrals to treatment.
The Baltimore City Health Department urged those who use drugs to take precautions: never use alone, carry naloxone (Narcan), test substances with fentanyl and xylazine strips, and use smaller amounts due to unpredictable potency in the drug supply.
Naloxone is available for free through Overdose Response Programs (ORPs), which are listed on the Baltimore City Health Department website. Officials emphasized the medication’s continued effectiveness in reversing opioid overdoses.
Residents unfamiliar with how to administer Narcan can access training videos and sign up for regular virtual sessions hosted by the city.
The Mayor’s Office also reminded residents of additional harm reduction supplies available, including safe use kits and test strips, and encouraged those seeking treatment to call the SPOT Mobile Clinic’s telemedicine line at 443-483-6150 or contact 988 for confidential care.
Baltimore continues to implement its Overdose Response Strategic Plan, which sets a goal to reduce fatal overdoses by 40% by 2040 and directs the use of opioid restitution funds through 13 strategies across five priorities.
