Over the past several years, Baltimore County has received more than $29 million from national opioid settlement agreements. The funds, distributed since February 2023, are being used to support a range of programs aimed at addressing the opioid epidemic’s impact in the county.
A significant portion of the funding has gone toward innovative approaches such as mobile treatment units. MATClinics, which operates eight offices across Maryland and provides medication-assisted treatment and behavioral health services, was awarded about $200,000 from the county’s opioid abatement fund. With this grant, MATClinics purchased and renovated a 35-foot RV that now travels three days a week to locations including Catonsville, Essex, and Pikesville to provide outpatient addiction care.
Lauren Reck, co-founder and program director of MATClinics, said: “I thought it was a really good opportunity to take what we do and put it on wheels.”
Baltimore County’s opioid strategy coordinator Elise Andrews explained the importance of planning for sustainable programs: “The last thing we want to do too is start a bunch of initiatives that then, all of a sudden, we’re going to have to tell them to stop,” Andrews said. “Because once people start relying [on them], whether it’s harm reduction and a mobile harm reduction van where they’re getting safe supplies and receiving that trusting relationship, or if they’re receiving mobile treatment, or if they’re going to the STEP clinic, we need to make sure that they can continue to access that, [or] else we’re going to be right back in the same position.”
According to state data cited by Andrews, overdose deaths in Baltimore County decreased from 361 in 2021 to 179 in 2024. She attributed these improvements partly to increased access to harm reduction strategies and medication-assisted treatments: “What does the evidence tell us helps?” Andrews said. “Harm reduction, access to medication, engaging people in treatment and recovery, getting peer support professionals out there.”
Settlement funds are restricted for specific uses such as naloxone distribution and training, medication-assisted treatment (especially for pregnant or postpartum individuals), prevention efforts, harm reduction activities, and care for incarcerated people with substance use disorders.
Initial spending included expanding medication options at the Baltimore County Detention Center and supporting centralized substance use disorder treatment for participants in drug court programs. Additional funding went toward staffing programs for babies born exposed to substances and installing naloxone vending machines at health clinics and libraries.
“Every penny of this is significant because it is lives lost – that’s why we have this money,” Andrews said.
In 2025, Baltimore County allocated $1 million for grants supporting projects focused on harm reduction and expanded services for homeless or pregnant individuals affected by opioid use disorder. Five organizations received grants through this initiative.
The Daniel Carl Torsch Foundation received nearly $184,000 for an outreach van providing food supplies and case management. Toni Torsch commented on barriers facing those seeking help: “They feel the stigma, whether it’s there or not; they just, they feel something,” she said. “We’re bringing services to them … no judgment – the only thing that we pack is a lot of compassion and services. We no longer ask why. We’re asking ‘What. What can we do for you? How can we help?'”
MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center was awarded almost $250,000 to assist pregnant women with opioid use disorder through stigma-reduction efforts and new protocols within OB-GYN practices. Lucas Carlson stated: “There’s often (a) shame component tied to opioid use – fear of retribution or fear of what the consequences could be for them or for their child.” Susanna Derocco added: “We don’t want to shame patients, and we don’t want to shame our providers for what they don’t yet know…we want to offer tools to help create an environment where people feel equipped to provide the best care possible.”
Chase Brexton Health Care used over $214,000 from grant funds to expand its STEP Clinic into Woodlawn’s Security Square area. Jessica Friedman explained their approach: “Particularly for opioid use disorder…medication itself is treatment…these medications can and should be prescribed in a primary-care setting.”
Health Care for the Homeless also expanded suburban services with plans for walk-in medication-assisted treatment at its Rosedale site along with additional nursing staff aimed at helping patients achieve both health stability and housing security. Laura Garcia noted: “It’s really helping us deliver more robust wraparound services…This really allows us to focus on physical and mental health that…furthers supporting rehousing efforts. Because…housing is health care.”
