On Monday, I was honored to join President Bill Clinton to discuss the opioid epidemic. Our conversation centered on what we CAN do to save lives. The problem is complex, but there are solutions that work, including many of our pilots here in Baltimore for blanket prescriptions of naloxone, expanding treatment access, and fighting stigma. Thanks to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health for hosting the day and to our other tremendous leaders who were there including Baltimore's own Representative Elijah E. Cummings!

During the discussion, I stressed the need for more federal resources. Those of us operating on the frontlines know what works. We know what we can do to end the epidemic, but we need the resources to get there. Cities and localities have been fighting this epidemic for years; hard hit local jurisdictions like ours should not have to continue waiting for support. Unfortunately, President Trump’s declaration last week did not come with new funding, but merely repurposed existing funds by taking resources away from other health priorities. Furthermore, efforts to undermine treatment access – including gutting Medicaid – will only exacerbate this epidemic.

We know that addiction is a disease, treatment exists, and recovery is possible. We don’t need more rhetoric, we need resources.

Thank you for the work you do in addressing the disease of addiction and other health challenges in our City.

Sincerely,

Leana Wen, M.D., M.Sc.

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