Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott has provided key updates on the city's measures to manage opioid restitution funds following his Executive Order in August 2024. Mayor Scott emphasized that the funds are to be used to save and change lives affected by the opioid crisis. "There are processes that need to be followed, including passing budget legislation and doing the requisite public engagement, in order to ensure that these funds are handled responsibly and with the residents best interest in mind," Mayor Scott stated in an update provided on the City of Baltimore official website.
The city received over 180 applications for the newly formed Restitution Advisory Board. The top candidates are currently interviewing. Offers for the Executive Director and Program Manager positions are expected to be made this December. These roles play a crucial part in overseeing the funds. Baltimore residents also play a crucial role. They were invited to review the draft Community Engagement Plan and the Accountability and Transparency Plan, and comments were accepted through January 17, 2025.
Regarding community involvement, there will be a series of Community Listening Sessions in early 2025 designed to hear directly from those affected by the opioid crisis. Further, residents have the opportunity to voice their concerns and ideas through an online form, contributing to the city's holistic response strategy.
The Baltimore Health Department is set to invest $20 million in core public health initiatives. The investment aims to address the opioid crisis through enhanced epidemiology and data analysis, planning and policy development, targeted communications, and community mobilization efforts, such as the creation of a Division of Overdose Prevention and Harm Reduction. Mayor Scott also pushes for a supplemental budget to kickstart the Opioid Restitution Funds initiative.
Details of the supplemental budget and more frequent updates can be found on the Health Department's web page.
