25 hospitalized, 5 critical as mysterious ‘mass overdose event’ strikes Baltimore City
On the morning of July 10, what is being characterized as “a mass overdose event” occurred in Baltimore City. First responders immediately mobilized alongside public health officials and community partners to address the event. At least 25 people were hospitalized after a suspected drug overdose went down in West Baltimore, according to CBS News.
Teams of first responders that included fire crews and paramedics converged on the intersection of Pennsylvania and North Avenues around 9:20 a.m. yesterday after receiving calls regarding drug overdoses. The Baltimore City Fire Department reports that they were dispatched to the Penn–North neighborhood in response to a “mass casualty incident” involving multiple individuals exhibiting overdose symptoms.
When the first responders arrived on the scene, they were met by one victim exhibiting drug overdose symptoms. They were then approached by other residents in the who directed them to additional people who were unresponsive, according to Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace.
“Along North Avenue, along Pennsylvania Avenue, both subway platforms, and then off the beaten path along some of the alleys,” Wallace said.
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At least 25 people were hospitalized, with five in critical condition and others in serious condition. People in the area told WJZ that the drug was given out as a tester to victims, and it was called “New Jack City,” allegedly laced with freon or antifreeze, which can poison people, although officials have not confirmed this. ~ WJZ
Baltimore Firefighters IAFF Local 734 reported that yesterday’s tragic event once again underscores the severity of the opioid crisis in Baltimore and the systemic strain it places on emergency services.
Immediately following the mass overdose event, the Baltimore City Mayor’s Office released a statement confirming the event and shared additional information, and instructions, including the message that anyone potentially impacted should call 911 to seek immediate care and that additional resources are available through the City’s 988 helpline.
As a significant public health event, the Mayor’s Office of Overdose Response and Baltimore City Health Department urged residents who use drugs to practice “harm reduction and risk reduction techniques.”
- Never use alone. Have someone around in case you overdose.
- Carry Naloxone/Narcan. Both are available for free through the Baltimore City Health Department.
- Test your drugs. There are Fentanyl and Xylazine test strips available through the Baltimore City Health Department.
- Go slow. The illicit drug supply is potent and mixed with various substances, so use smaller amounts if possible.
This event remains under investigation. Officials have not yet confirmed what caused these overdoses. As of yesterday, first responders and community partners were still in the area distributing resources including test strips and Narcan, canvassing the neighborhood, and trying to ensure that impacted residents get the medical care they need.
Community partners reportedly remained on site through the night to continue Narcan and harm reduction distribution. MONSE, alongside the Mayor’s Office of Overdose Response, will activate a Coordinated Neighborhood Stabilization Response in the morning.
The Baltimore Police Department (BPD) was treating the area as an active crime scene and began investigations at the scene and surrounding neighborhoods, focusing on the source of the overdose event. BPD reminds individuals that under Good Samaritan laws, they can seek medical care without fear of arrest. Police also announced the locations of staging areas and road closures in the area due to the mass overdose event.
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For more on the story, see the video accompanying this article.
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(Sources: Baltimore City Fire Department, Baltimore Firefighters IAFF Local 734, Baltimore Police Department, Baltimore City Mayor’s Office)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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