health

At least 25 people in West Baltimore were hospitalized following suspected drug overdoses Thursday morning near a road intersection in the Penn North area, with five in critical condition. Emergency services responded around 09:20 local time after being alerted by members of the public, finding affected individuals along two intersecting avenues, subway platforms, and alleyways. The incident prompted authorities to close a nearby subway station, block roads, and reroute buses while they investigated. Though officials have not identified the specific substance involved, State Attorney Ivan Bates described the incident as a reminder of Baltimore's ongoing battle with the opioid epidemic, while Maryland Governor Wes Moore and other officials coordinated response efforts.