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(BALTIMORE – July 18, 2025) — In the wake of a mass overdose incident that sent 27 people to local hospitals, BMORENews.com has published an exclusive in-depth feature titled “Penn-North Tragedy Reveals Deep Cracks in West Baltimore’s Response System.”

This comprehensive article goes beyond the headlines to expose the systemic neglect, policy gaps, and historic disinvestment that continue to plague the Penn-North intersection — a flashpoint made internationally known during the 2015 Freddie Gray uprising.

Despite reports of antifreeze- or xylazine-laced narcotics circulating as free “testers,” Baltimore city officials have remained largely silent. No official press conference has been held — and no public data on potential deaths have been released.

“In the absence of leadership, we spoke with the people,” said BMORENews founder and publisher Doni Glover. “We went beyond the statistics. We centered the voices of longtime residents, grassroots leaders, and local business owners who have been shouting into the void for years.”

Key Highlights from the Report:

27 overdoses, at least 5 critical, all within a two-block radius at Penn-North on July 11.
Exclusive interviews with Senator Antonio Hayes, Annie Hall (Penn-North Community Association), Marvin “Doc” Cheatham, Stokey Cannady, Yolanda Pulley, and other community stakeholders.
Historical context around the West North Avenue Development Authority (WNADA) and efforts to reinvest in the corridor through institutions like Coppin State University.
A call for accountability, transparency, and investment in long-term recovery, not just crisis management.

The feature also highlights broader trends: Over 833 people died from overdoses in Baltimore in 2023, and the 21217 ZIP code remains one of the city’s most impacted. Community leaders argue that recent harm-reduction efforts, while important, fall short without direct access to housing, employment, and healthcare.

“This Isn’t Just a Drug Crisis — It’s a Moral One.”

The article draws attention to racial and economic dynamics shaping the crisis. “This is not just about addicts or dealers,” Glover added. “It’s about who is allowed to suffer in silence and who gets saved. It’s about whether West Baltimore is seen as worthy of protection, or left to decay.”

BMORENews.com, founded in 2002, remains committed to amplifying Black voices, holding power accountable, and telling the stories others ignore.