Within the walls of Baltimore City’s Circuit Court the city’s Health Commissioner conducted an in court training session for nearly 30 Baltimore City Drug Treatment Court participants, teaching them how to administer Naloxone.  It’s a medication that is used to reverse the effects of an overdose.    “I think this is a way we can save lives in Baltimore City and really make an impact on the ever increasing overdose deaths,” said Ellen Heller, Circuit Court Judge. The in court training is a first for the state.  Its participants were chosen because they are at risk of an overdose and/or are in contact with people who are at risk. “If somebody is overdosing on heroin or fentanyl or oxycodone or other opiates they will stop breathing and within a matter of minutes they will die,” said Dr. Leana Wen, Baltimore City Health Commissioner.

Beginning today, in an effort spearheaded by Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen, the Baltimore City Adult Drug Treatment Court (DTC) will be the first in Maryland to train participants on the use of naloxone while they are in court.  “Overdose deaths are a public health emergency,” said Dr. Wen.  “Last year, more people died from overdose than died from homicide.  The first step to recovery is staying alive. We need to get life-saving naloxone into the hands of people most at risk.” Individuals with a primary drug-related criminal offense are selected to participate in DTC as an alternative to more traditional legal settings.

Today Health Commissioner Dr, Leana Wen announced that Baltimore County and Baltimore City Health Departments are currently investigating a possible, isolated case of measles in a Baltimore County resident who was seen for care at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore City. Upon recognition of a possible measles case, Sinai Hospital staff acted quickly and appropriately to reduce exposures.