In response to Baltimore's ongoing battle with the opioid crisis, Mayor Brandon M. Scott is bringing the conversation to the people with a series of Community Listening Sessions. These sessions, developed in collaboration with the Baltimore Community Mediation Center, are specifically designed for residents to articulate their perspectives on addressing the overdose epidemic using resources secured from pharmaceutical company settlements, as detailed on the Baltimore City official website.
"From the beginning, our work to end the opioid epidemic in Baltimore has been about the people of our city- especially those most impacted by this crisis," Mayor Scott stated, emphasizing the human element at the core of their strategy. Residents of neighborhoods with high overdose rates are particularly encouraged to engage in the discussions. The sessions, marking an effort to involve community voices in policy-making, reflect the administration's larger commitment to public input.
The series consists of four sessions, all of which will take place in July 2025. The venues have been deliberately chosen in areas that are at the frontline of the opioid struggle. Scheduled events are as follows: Cherry Hill Elementary and Middle School on July 9, Gethsemane Baptist Church on July 17, Pimlico Elementary and Middle School on July 23, and Henderson Hopkins Elementary and Middle School on July 31, each from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
