The new initiative was launched at a news conferenceMonday. All eleven of the city's hospitals will be assigned levels of care based on the ability to treat those who test positive for the drugs, administer the antidote naloxone and how doctors prescribe opioids.
State officials say traditional health care facilities must be on the front lines when it comes to treating addiction. “Medical systems in our city must play an essential role in ending the opioid crisis,” said Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh. “I’m proud to join with our hospital systems to launch #LevelsofCare for the prevention and treatment of addiction and the prevention of overdose death.”