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At least 27 people have been hospitalised in West Baltimore following a series of suspected drug overdoses, according to local authorities. The incident unfolded Thursday morning near an intersection in the Penn North neighbourhood of the city.
Citing officials from the Baltimore Fire Department, CBS News, a partner of the BBC, reported that seven individuals are currently in critical condition, though no deaths have been confirmed as of yet.
Emergency services were first dispatched to the area around 9:30 a.m. local time (14:30 BST). Upon arrival, responders discovered multiple people experiencing overdose symptoms across several locations, including two intersecting avenues, subway platforms, and nearby alleyways, Fire Chief James Wallace told reporters.
Baltimore Police posted on X (formerly Twitter) that officers and fire crews were on the scene responding to “multiple individuals experiencing overdose symptoms.” Authorities urged the public to avoid the area, noting that multiple streets had been closed and bus routes diverted to accommodate emergency operations.
As of now, officials have not disclosed which specific drugs may have caused the overdoses. However, the incident underscores a broader national crisis, as the U.S. has witnessed a dramatic spike in drug overdoses over the past two decades. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drug overdose deaths rose by 500% between 1999 and 2022.
The CDC has identified three major waves in this epidemic: the first linked to prescription opioids, the second driven by heroin, and the current wave dominated by synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. Increasingly, illegal drugs are being mixed with synthetic substances or other toxic agents, significantly elevating the risk of overdose.
Baltimore’s State Attorney Ivan Bates responded to the incident, calling it a “powerful reminder” of the city’s continued struggle with the opioid epidemic.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore said on Thursday that his administration was working closely with state agencies, city officials, and first responders. “I’m grateful to those who quickly alerted us about this situation, and those who are providing support to the community,” he said.
In an update to the public, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott issued a series of safety guidelines for those who use drugs. He urged residents never to use drugs alone and to carry naloxone, a medication that can reverse or reduce the effects of opioid overdoses.
As investigations continue, officials remain focused on supporting the affected individuals and understanding what substances were involved in the mass overdose event.
