BALTIMORE, MD (March 11, 2016)–Today, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen issued the following statement applauding the Obama Administration for awarding $94 million dollars in Affordable Care Act funding to 271 health centers in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico to improve and expand the delivery of substance abuse services in health centers, with a specific focus on treatment of opioid use disorders in underserved populations. Specifically, the grant announced today will help Baltimore City increase access to evidence-based treatment, provide resources to help educate health professionals reduce opioid over-prescribing practices, and expand support for services necessary for residents to achieve recovery:

“I applaud the Obama Administration for recognizing that addiction is a disease, that treatment exists and for providing Baltimore with new resources needed make recovery a reality for more of our residents.

In Baltimore, we have declared opioid abuse a public health emergency and have launched one of the most aggressive opioid overdose prevention efforts in the country. Last December, I was proud to testify in front of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on how Baltimore is leading the way nationally with innovative strategies and evidence-based solutions, specifically around three pillars:

1. Preventing deaths from overdose and saving the lives of people suffering from addiction, such as issuing a blanket prescription for naloxone to 620,000 residents and introducing a first of its kind online naloxone training to further reduce barriers to this lifesaving medication;
2. Increasing access to quality and effective on-demand treatment, including with medications, psycho-social support, plans for a 24/7 behavioral health urgent care, and case management services; and
3. Expanding addiction education and awareness to reduce stigma, including with education for local doctors around opioid prescribing practices and a “Don’t Die” campaign for residents.

Though much can be done on the city and state levels, we cannot end the nation’s opioid epidemic without financial support from our federal partners and this new funding announced today will be a critical tool to augment Baltimore City’s efforts.

I was proud to join the Surgeon General at this announcement and I want to thank him and the Obama Administration for their commitment to fighting this public health crisis and helping improve access to treatment for our country’s most vulnerable individuals. 

With the assistance of federal partners, we can transform Baltimore into a national model for addiction recovery to provide care, save lives, and ensure equity and justice.”