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Providers and city warn of shifting drug supply; RAD testing, drug-checking and wastewater surveillance expand
Summary
Officials and recovery providers told the council that Baltimore's drug supply is evolving (more stimulants, polysubstance samples and veterinary tranquilizers such as medetomidine), prompting increased RAD testing, a CDC Epi-Aid request, a Johns Hopkins drug-checking grant, and plans to explore wastewater surveillance and ED trainings.
City health officials and providers told the Baltimore City Council's Public Health and Environment Committee that the drug supply is changing rapidly and that the city is scaling monitoring and response tools.
At public testimony, V McCormack, executive director of New Life Recovery Center, gave provider data: "Baltimore recorded 568 fatal overdoses in 2025. That's a nearly 27% decrease from 777 deaths recorded in 2024. Of the 568 total deaths, 425 involve fentinol." McCormack urged that smaller community providers be considered in funding decisions.
Health officials described changes detected by RAD (rapid analysis of drugs) testing and regional alerts. Dr. Michelle Taylor said the city is seeing fewer…
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