Baltimore to Launch Support Fund for Families Affected by Overdose Deaths

Baltimore is taking steps to alleviate the financial strain on families who have lost loved ones to fatal drug overdoses. The city has approved a budget that includes $1.15 million to establish a new family support fund aimed at helping those affected by these tragic incidents.

Kelly Gill, cofounder and executive director of Love In The Trenches, a Baltimore nonprofit, emphasizes the heavy emotional and financial burden families face after a sudden overdose death. She noted that families often incur substantial funeral costs and may require additional support for childcare and mental health services.

“There needs to be an open conversation about how we fill in the gaps with families who have lost someone to overdose,” Gill stated, reflecting on her own experience after losing her son to opioid addiction in 2019.

The funding for this initiative comes from a larger settlement of nearly $260 million that the city received after suing opioid manufacturers and distributors. In total, Baltimore plans to allocate approximately $41 million from the opioid restitution fund over the next year, with significant portions directed towards city departments and organizations engaged in harm reduction and treatment services.

According to Sara Whaley, the city’s executive director of overdose response, the next phase involves consulting with an advisory board and the public to determine eligibility criteria for the new support fund. Specific details regarding the application process and the types of assistance available are still being finalized.

Inspiration for the fund comes from a similar initiative launched in Boston last year, which has reportedly provided over $225,000 to families affected by overdose deaths. This program has covered expenses such as funerals, childcare, and mental health counseling. The Boston model does not impose income restrictions but verifies overdose deaths before disbursing funds.

As Baltimore continues to grapple with its ongoing overdose crisis, community feedback has highlighted the need for support for families dealing with the aftermath of these tragedies. Whaley remarked, “When someone loses their life to an overdose, there’s that ripple effect. It’s not just that individual, but it ripples out into the family and into the community in a lot of different ways.”

Reported by HarborBeat based on The Baltimore Banner (source).