City Leaders Uplift Ongoing Overdose Prevention Initiatives on International Overdose Awareness Day
BALTIMORE, MD (Monday, August 31, 2026) — Today, on the two-year anniversary of signing his Executive Order establishing Baltimore City's Opioid Restitution Fund, Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced the City of Baltimore's Hope Lives Here campaign, a citywide initiative to reduce stigma, prevent overdoses through harm reduction, honor those we have lost, and share paths to recovery.
"Our Hope Lives Here campaign is about breaking down barriers to lifesaving support and resources," said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. "We know that too often, shame and stigma prevent folks from seeking help. It's on all of us to change that. As we mark Overdose Awareness Day, we launch this campaign in honor of those we've lost, in hope that we can save lives in the future, and in shared commitment to build a healthy, safe Baltimore where all of our residents can thrive."
Hope Lives Here is Baltimore City's overdose prevention communications campaign, organized into four phases: stigma, overdose prevention, recovery, and grief. The goal is to meet community members where they are, in barbershops and salons, libraries, senior living communities, and faith organizations. It provides information for individuals living with substance use disorder, those in recovery, and their loved ones. The campaign emphasizes Baltimore's tradition of caring for its residents and underscores that compassion is essential to saving lives. Resources include guidance on recognizing an overdose, using naloxone, and accessing additional support. Phase 1 encourages the community to lead with empathy in both words and actions.
"Stigma is not a side effect of the overdose crisis – it is the fuel that keeps it going," said Executive Director Sara Whaley. "It's the reason people hide their substance use from people who could have helped them out of fear of judgement. Ultimately stigma costs lives. But it is also something we have the power to change - we combat stigma by sharing our truths."
In addition to the Hope Lives Here campaign, Baltimore City has implemented several measures to strengthen its response to the overdose crisis. These efforts support access to naloxone for both city employees and residents, increased access to data for community members, and harm reduction resources for those living with substance use disorder. One such initiative was announced today, as the Baltimore City Health Department announced a new Baltimore City Overdose Data Dashboard to launch on Tuesday, September 1, 2026. This dashboard offers opportunities for residents to explore overdose trends, and locate services, programs, and resources across the city.
The dashboard also allows community members to review Baltimore-specific data from the Rapid Analysis of Drugs (RAD) program, Maryland's statewide drug-checking initiative.
"In 2026 Baltimore City experienced a 20% decrease in overdose deaths within its first six months compared to that same period in 2025. But our work is far from over. Our top priority is to listen to the community, residents, and those with lived experience to guide our service and maintain transparency," said Commissioner of Health Michelle Taylor. "We are excited to announce that the Baltimore City Health Department will be launching our public overdose dashboard tomorrow, September 1st, in honor of National Recovery Month. Through this dashboard our hope is for residents, organizations, and agencies to use it to understand the landscape of services, resources, treatment facilities, and areas most in need of additional support."
For more information about the campaign, visit the Hope Lives Here campaign page. The Baltimore City Health Department will host a virtual training webinar on the new dashboard on September 1, 2026, from 12 pm to 1 pm, free to register.
