In a strategic move to tackle the opioid crisis, Mayor Brandon Scott has announced Sara Whaley as Baltimore’s first Executive Director of Overdose Response. This position puts her at the helm of the city's efforts to manage its restitution funds and shape its response to drug overdoses. Whaley's prior role as Mayor Scott’s senior advisor for public health and her extensive work at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has solidified her status as an expert in the field, particularly on the strategic deployment of opioid litigation funds.
As per the announcement from the City of Baltimore, Whaley's authorship of national guidelines for overdose litigation fund management is expected to serve her well in this new citywide role. She’ll co-chair the newly assembled Restitution Advisory Board, comprising individuals deeply invested in the fight against the opioid scourge. She will lead the Mayor’s Overdose Cabinet to ensure the city’s overdose strategy is robust and effective. "Sara is a proven national expert and a leading voice in utilizing litigation funds to address the opioid epidemic," Mayor Scott expressed, emphasizing the advantage of her expertise for Baltimore's opioid crisis management.
Alongside the hiring of Whaley, the Mayor's office released a roster for the Restitution Advisory Board, featuring 17 voting members and three non-voting members, which includes a diverse set of professionals and individuals with lived experiences related to substance use. These members will identify key priorities for funding and guide the allocation of the city's opioid restitution funds, ensuring that the voices of Baltimoreans from all walks of life play a pivotal role in the decision-making process.
Residents are encouraged to become part of the dialogue through an extended community engagement period ending on March 15, allowing the city to tap into the breadth of public opinion and experience.
