A suspected mass overdose in West Baltimore’s Penn‑North neighborhood hospitalized at least 25 people—five in critical condition—after emergency crews responded to multiple individuals collapsing from suspected opioid/fentanyl use; authorities have declared it a level‑one mass casualty event and are investigating a possibly tainted batch known locally as “New Jack City,” while distributing Narcan and calling for long-term strategies to address the ongoing crisis. Originally published in The Baltimore Sun.

Susan Sherman is quoted.