Mayor Brandon M. Scott of Baltimore has made public the city’s preliminary Overdose Response Strategic Plan, marking a significant step in tackling the overdose crisis. This plan is part of a larger movement initiated by Scott’s Executive Order in August 2024, which aimed to manage the funds Baltimore received from opioid-related settlements effectively. “This is a major milestone in our work to end the overdose crisis in our city and address decades of harm done to our residents,” Mayor Scott stated. In particular, the plan outlines a goal to drastically cut fatal overdoses by at least 40% by 2040.
The preliminary plan encompasses a three-year strategy from 2025 to 2027, featuring 13 strategies aimed at boldly reducing fatal overdoses. It’s a roadmap informed by a city’s Needs Assessment and will undergo updates every two years. Scott’s vision is for Baltimore to reinvest the millions won from Big Pharma back into the city for the betterment of its communities. Citizens are invited to review the information and subsequently submit their feedback by August 29 to help finalize the document.
The same Order also led to the release of an Overdose Response Needs Assessment by the Baltimore City Health Department, which further informed the development of the Strategic Plan. This assessment outlines 15 key takeaways from various areas, including prevention and harm reduction, to treatment and recovery, all of which were integrated into the Strategic Plan’s priorities and activities. The in-depth assessment is aimed at providing a more tailored approach to dealing with the city’s drug crisis…