Federal policy complicates battle against opioids

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and city officials provided updates following a mass overdose incident in the Penn North neighborhood in July 2025. Federal policy is currently complicating the battle against the opioid crisis. The situation in Penn North is critical, as the neighborhood experienced three separate mass overdose incidents within a three-month span last year. Local leadership continues to navigate these federal complexities while addressing the recurring public health emergencies affecting the city's residents.