BALTIMORE, MD (Wednesday, July 2, 2025) - Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced the release of Baltimore City's preliminary Overdose Response Strategic Plan and additional updates on the implementation of his August 2024 Executive Order, establishing a framework for administering Baltimore's opioid restitution funds.

"This is a major milestone in our work to end the overdose crisis in our city and address decades of harm done to our residents," said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. "We made the decision to directly take on Big Pharma for their role in this crisis, and we won millions in settlements and awards. This Strategic Plan lays out how we'll invest that money back into communities, with the goal of reducing fatal overdoses at least 40% by 2040. Together, we can make this a turning point for the opioid crisis, and build a healthier, safer city for all of our residents."

Key updates include:

Overdose Response Strategic Plan

The City released its preliminary Overdose Response Strategic Plan for 2025-2027. Mayor Scott's Executive Order directed the newly established Baltimore City Mayor's Office of Overdose Response to prepare a strategic plan to guide the citywide overdose response, including the use of opioid restitution funds. The Overdose Response Strategic Plan details 13 strategies and accompanying implementation activities across five priorities for reducing fatal overdoses by 40% by 2040 and making progress to end the overdose crisis in Baltimore City.

The preliminary Overdose Response Strategic Plan was informed by key recommendations identified through the City's Needs Assessment. The Overdose Response Strategic Plan and Needs Assessment will be updated every two years.

The City's preliminary Overdose Response Strategic Plan for 2025-2027 can be found here. Residents are encouraged to review the plan and submit their comments here by August 29, 2025 to be considered for the final version.

Overdose Response Needs Assessment

The City also released its Overdose Response Needs Assessment, which was led by the Baltimore City Health Department and informed the development of the Overdose Response Strategic Plan. The Needs Assessment contains 15 takeaways across five pillars laid out in Mayor Scott's Executive Order (the Social Determinants of Health, Prevention, Harm Reduction, Treatment, and Recovery). These takeaways directly informed priorities, strategies, and activities proposed in the City's Overdose Response Strategic Plan.

The City's Overdose Response Needs Assessment can be found here.

Community Listening Sessions

In alignment with the Executive Order, the City is announcing four community engagement listening sessions that will provide Baltimore City residents an opportunity to provide feedback on the Overdose Response Strategic Plan.

These four listening sessions will take place at the following times and locations:

• Wednesday, July 9: 5:30-8:00 PM at Cherry Hill Elementary and Middle School, 801 Bridgeview Rd. Baltimore, MD 21225
• Thursday, July 17, 5:30 PM-8:00 PM at Gethsemane Baptist Church, 2520 Francis St., Baltimore, MD 21217
• Wednesday, July 23, 5:30 PM-8:00 PM at Pimlico Elementary School, 4849 Pimlico Rd, Baltimore, MD 21215
• Thursday, July 31, 5:30 PM-8:00 PM at Henderson Hopkins Elementary and Middle School: 2100 Ashland Ave, Baltimore, MD 21205

Residents are encouraged to review the Overdose Response Strategic Plan here.

Additional updates regarding the City's use of opioid restitution funds and ongoing response to the overdose crisis will be posted here.