Anyone in Baltimore who’s put off looking into addiction treatment because of what people might think, the city is now spending money to turn a few heads around. Stigma is the target of a new public campaign called Hope Lives Here that launched August 31, 2026 in the Penn North neighborhood.
Even though Maryland already offers many inpatient and outpatient programs to combat addiction, many good folks still feel stigmatized when entering treatment. Hope Lives Here employs ads and community educational materials to help residents talk more freely about addiction and recognize it as an illness.
Baltimore in Action
Mayor Brandon Scott described the effort like this:
“Substance use disorder is not a personal failing; it is a disease. With that knowledge, it is our responsibility. It is our responsibility that we lead with compassion and care, and to meet folks with resources where they are, instead of judgment and instead of shaming them.”
The city health department developed the messaging with CharmTV, the municipal television channel. Sara Whaley, Baltimore’s director of overdose response, noted the approach developed from research and from listening to residents directly.
“There were focus groups, listening sessions. Charm TV talked to a lot of folks about what they would want to see and what is inspiring to them,” Whaley recalled. She thinks the campaign will reflect the city and the messages will resonate with residents.
This is the first of four phases. The ones that follow will focus on naloxone education and medication options, recovery education and overdose prevention.
The Funding
Funding comes out of the roughly $20 million the city allocated to its health department from more than $400 million Baltimore won in settlements with opioid manufacturers.
Like programs in other states, this money originated in litigation over the marketing of prescription opioids. Baltimore has directed a share of it back into changing how the same substances are discussed.
Stigma Costs Maryland Residents Real Access
Stigma kills. A study found that close to three quarters of Americans believed people with addiction lack self-discipline.
Americans who see opioid addiction as the result of poor personal choices are frequently unwilling to support spending on programs that help. This makes it harder to open new addiction treatment programs, syringe services and overdose prevention sites in a neighborhood.
Baltimore residents know stigma translates into fewer nearby options and longer waits. This is why Hope Lives Here is regarded as an access issue rather than simple public relations.
About Drugs
Substance use disorder is a medical condition involving changes to brain circuits that govern reward, stress and self-control. It develops gradually but is treatable.
Common signs of addiction include needing more of a substance to get the same effect, continuing to use despite clear problems in personal life and not being able to quit.
If several of those describe you or someone in your household, talk to a doctor. Don’t wait for conditions to worsen.
Addiction Treatment Beyond Baltimore
Start with a primary care provider or the Maryland crisis line, which can make direct referrals. When you call a program, ask if they take Maryland Medicaid and if they treat co-occurring mental health conditions. Inquire as to how soon you can make an appointment.
Our browsable directory lists verified treatment centers across the entire country. Search by city and filter by level of care and insurance accepted.
You can also dial
800-681-1058
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