On Thursday, scientific, health policy, and medical experts joined to celebrate the formation of Female Opioid-addiction Research and Clinical Experts (FORCE), a groundbreaking new alliance of women experts that aims to address the stigma surrounding opioid addiction treatment and encourage a shift in mentality to recognize that opioid addiction is not a moral failing, but a chronic mental condition. FORCE promotes progressive policy approaches to help improve access to treatment and save lives from the devastating consequences of opioid addiction.

At the event Dr. Wen was honored by the newly formed organization with an award for her innovative leadership in drawing attention to the need for effective opioid addiction treatment and was awarded a $25,000 grant to be donated to an area of opioid education and treatment.  Deputy Chief of Staff Gabe Auteri accepted the award on behalf of Dr. Wen, sharing BCHD’s innovative efforts being implemented in Baltimore address the opioid abuse epidemic.

Working closely with our partners at Behavioral Health System Baltimore, BCHD is implementing on of the nation’s most aggressive platforms to prevent overdose, expand access to treatment, and improve education to patients and providers.

Dr. Wen has taken a number of steps to expand access to the opioid overdose antidote, naloxone, to those at-risk of experiencing an opioid overdose in Baltimore City. Last fall, she issued “standing order” that enabled her to prescribe naloxone for all of Baltimore City’s 620,000 residents. Since then, thousands of Baltimore residents have been trained in using naloxone. Anyone can be trained to save a life and sign up for an upcoming session online.

The Baltimore City Health Department will also continue to fight addiction and overdose by increasing access to on-demand treatment, providing long-term recovery support, and increasing addiction education and awareness for the public and for providers.