Mike Gimbel, a longtime advocate for drug treatment and former heroin addict himself, says the real solution is being ignored: long-term access to treatment.

“The demand for drug treatment beds is enormous,” Gimbel said. “This is where Baltimore and the state of Maryland have fallen on their face.”

Gimbel, who has been in recovery for nearly 53 years, said the current strategies being used by city and state leaders are falling short. He’s calling them out publicly for what he calls a failure in the fight against addiction.

“What you’re seeing on the city and state level, it’s not acceptable,” Gimbel said. “It’s embarrassing, actually.”

Gimbel is a familiar face to many from his time on FOX45 News’ Straight Talk with Mike Gimbel. He says open-air drug markets in Baltimore are thriving because there’s little incentive for users to change.

“Giving clean needles and Narcan and test strips does not change behavior,” he said. “If you don’t change the behavior of the addict, you may bring them back from an overdose death, but eventually, they’re going to come back.”

He argues that lasting recovery depends heavily on changing a person’s environment — including where they live and who they’re surrounded by.

Drug courts, which can provide court-ordered treatment in place of jail time, are a step in the right direction, he said. But they also face an obstacle.

“The concept of drug court has always been very successful,” Gimbel said. “The problem with drug court is there’s not enough places to send people.”

Without treatment, Gimbel said, many drug users face the same outcome of death.

According to a recent report from The Baltimore Sun, nearly 90% of Maryland’s deaths classified as “undetermined” in 2023 were drug-related. A Johns Hopkins medical director said that an estimated two-thirds of those deaths were accidental overdoses.

Baltimore City had the highest number in the state, with 442 undetermined deaths in 2023.

Spotlight on Maryland reviewed similar data from cities facing parallel struggles. In St. Louis, Missouri, there were 12 undetermined deaths reported in 2023 — only two of which involved drugs, according to the medical examiner’s office. In Oakland, California, there were just four undetermined deaths last year.

Baltimore recently received $400 million in opioid settlement funds from pharmaceutical companies. Gimbel said some of that money should be used to expand treatment options.

Spotlight on Maryland is a collaborative project by FOX45 News, WJLA in Washington, D.C., and The Baltimore Sun. Have a tip or story idea? Contact Tessa Bentulan at tbentulan@sbgtv.com.

Residents have described the area as an open-air drug market. Earlier this month, Penn North was the scene of two mass overdose incidents that sent more than 30 people to area hospitals. Investigators believe a dangerous mixture of narcotics caused the overdoses.

Patricia Deros is the Chief Eastside District Court attorney for the state’s attorney’s office. She said issuing citations — not arrests — can be a critical step in connecting drug users with treatment and services.

“No,” Deros said when asked if enough citations for drug-related matters are being issued. “The police departments do not issue them.”

Deros, who has served in the state’s attorney’s office for over 35 years, said community members and prosecutors alike are aware of the constant, visible drug activity in Penn North.

“If the community members can observe all of this activity going on, there isn’t a reason that a law enforcement officer doesn’t see the same thing and can’t approach and issue a citation to hold these people accountable,” she said.

Citations, Deros emphasized, are about accountability. The goal is to get people into treatment, not jail time.

“If we can offer these services, they won’t be back in the community offending, and the community will be able to become safer,” she said.

Robin Wherley, a prosecutor with Baltimore City Drug Treatment Court, echoed that sentiment.

“It’s showing that the system can actually prevent and treat addiction without necessarily condemning people to a criminal record and jail,” Wherley said.

Drug court operates similarly to citation court by offering treatment. They are different in their approach and assignment.

Deros said repeat offenders are rare in citation court.

“In the years that we’ve been doing the citation docket, I don’t see many repeat offenders,” she said. “Citations work.”

State’s Attorney Ivan Bates launched a new citation initiative in June 2023 to address quality-of-life offenses, also known as low-level offenses. This includes, but is not limited to, loitering, littering and trespassing.

Since 2023, few citations have been issued.

So far in 2025, 226 citations have been issued citywide for low-level crimes and just 33 of those were drug-related, according to the state’s attorney’s office. Each citation includes the ZIP code of where it was issued.

In Penn North, just two drug-related citations have been documented. One was issued in January by the Baltimore Police Department. The Maryland Transit Administration issued the other on June 2.

Deros believes far more citations could — and should — be issued.

“I’m assuming in Penn North that they could probably issue 10 to 15 a day,” she said.

More than 12 agencies in Baltimore are authorized to issue citations. But the bulk of the responsibility still falls on local law enforcement.

“The open-air drug use — that is a crime — and should be addressed by the law enforcement community, but it’s not being addressed,” Deros said.

In a statement, Baltimore Police said, “BPD, along with the City of Baltimore, recognizes that addiction is a complex public health issue, not simply a matter of criminal behavior. We understand that we are not going to cite or arrest our way out of addiction.

“Our department continues to work collaboratively with our public health and community partners to connect individuals to the resources, treatment and support services they need. This approach aligns with the city’s broader harm reduction strategy and risk reduction efforts, and our commitment to improving both public safety and public health outcomes for our residents.”

Defense attorney Jeremy Eldridge said low-level arrests themselves might not provide much value in dismantling drug organizations. However, gathering information from drug users could help pinpoint dangerous supply sources.

“What is of use is finding out, for instance, in the Penn North case, where are the drugs that are causing massive amounts of overdoses being sold?” Eldridge said. “The police can track that information much faster.”

The state’s attorney’s office said it will continue urging law enforcement to issue more citations and pursue strategies that prioritize treatment over incarceration.

Asked whether citation court could be the key to reversing Baltimore’s overdose crisis, Deros said it could be — if paired with accessible care.

“I think it can be. I think we need a lot more treatment on demand available,” she said.

In the coming days, Spotlight on Maryland will seek answers from city officials about how open-air drug markets, such as Penn North, continue to persist.

Spotlight on Maryland is a collaborative project by The Baltimore Sun, FOX45 News and WJLA in Washington, D.C. Have a tip or story idea? Contact Tessa Bentulan at tbentulan@sbgtv.com. 

The mass overdose raised a few questions for Spotlight on Maryland: What needs to be done to help someone struggling with addiction enter recovery? And is arresting them the answer?

For one man, the justice system played a pivotal role in his recovery.

Once homeless and addicted to cocaine and fentanyl, Darren Dugan said he hit a breaking point in 2020.

“Honestly, it was by the grace of God I had been told about a program,” Dugan said. “I was done. It wasn’t for me; it was for my kids.”

That moment of clarity came after time spent behind bars. For the first time, Dugan said he found extended recovery.

“I did have a stipulation for probation that I needed to stay sober,” he said. “I was told, ‘You’re in a program now. You stay in that program, and you stick in that program because if you walk away from it, you’ll be violated.’ ”

Dugan shares a message with others battling addiction.

“What needs to be understood is that drug court is not a punishment,” he said. “Probation is not a punishment. Being remanded to the custody of a treatment center is not a punishment. These are all alternatives to incarceration.”

This kind of court-ordered intervention, while not always the first choice, can be the turning point for some people in active addiction.

Jeremy Eldridge, a defense attorney and partner at Zealous Advocates in Baltimore, said he believes the criminal justice system acts as a last resort to connect people with treatment services.

“It’s not the idea of incarceration that’s beneficial — or even prosecution ending in conviction,” Eldridge said. “It’s the idea of forcing that individual into the court systems that they can benefit from services. If they’re compliant with such services, their charges could be dismissed at a later time.”

Spotlight on Maryland asked the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office whether the 27 individuals who overdosed in Penn North on July 10 should be arrested to get them into recovery.

In response, the office said a citation docket may be better suited. These dockets are typically issued for quality-of-life offenses and can bring a person before a judge — not necessarily to jail, but to be connected with services.

“Essentially, to bring people into court to offer treatment,” Eldridge said. “Not to place people in jail. Not to saddle them with convictions, but to offer wraparound services — including mental health and drug treatment.”

Despite the overdose cluster, the open-air drug market in Penn North remained active in the days that followed. Spotlight on Maryland witnessed multiple people openly buying drugs and using them in the same area.

Dugan said court intervention can be necessary, especially for those who feel stuck.

“I do think in some instances, that’s where a lot of people find some solidarity in themselves,” he said. “The choices are to either lean into the help — or unfortunately, lean into eventual death.”

Dugan said recovery is possible and worth fighting for.

“There is so much opportunity out here to do something different, to make more for yourself,” he said. “I know what it’s like to feel like you’re not going to get there, or that’s not what you deserve, or it’s not possible — but it is.”

The State’s Attorney’s Office, defense attorney Jeremy Eldridge and recovery advocate Darren Dugan all agree: Getting someone struggling with addiction in front of a judge could help connect them with treatment.

Spotlight on Maryland is a collaborative project by FOX45 News, WJLA in Washington, D.C., and The Baltimore Sun. Have a tip or story idea? Contact Tessa Bentulan at tbentulan@sbgtv.com. 

The state is investing millions of dollars in efforts to filter out these harmful substances — a tall order, especially after a recent national study found elevated PFAS levels in the Monocacy River in Frederick County.

PFAS, which are resistant to water, oil and heat, are found in everyday products such as nonstick cookware, makeup and food packaging. They pose significant health risks, including links to cancer, and are notoriously difficult to remove from the environment.

The Environmental Protection Agency has set a drinking water limit for PFAS at just four parts per trillion. In Hampstead in Carroll County, state testing in 2020 revealed PFAS levels exceeding 70 parts per trillion. That triggered an immediate response from town officials.

“We got a phone call in November of 2020 basically saying we need to shut two of your wells off,” said Kevin Hann, superintendent of Hampstead’s Public Works Department.

Hann, along with Town Supervisor Jim Roark, spearheaded a nearly $31 million plan to modernize the town’s water system. The initiative includes building three new treatment plants and upgrading an existing facility. New carbon tanks at these plants will filter PFAS out of the town’s water supply.

“We are so far ahead of anyone else in the PFAS mitigation effort,” Roark said. Construction is scheduled to begin next month.

Funding for the project includes nearly $19.9 million in federal dollars, $7.7 million from the state, and $3.3 million from the town of Hampstead.

Roark emphasized the importance of transparency, noting monthly updates at town council meetings and a public town hall scheduled for the end of July.

“We have nothing to hide,” he said.

Hampstead is not alone. The state of Maryland has allocated $130 million in this fiscal year’s budget to support similar water treatment efforts across the state; the funds are not limited to only reducing PFAS levels. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) is responsible for distributing those funds.

“What’s clear with PFAS is that we need a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach,” said Zachary Schafer of MDE. “We have to stop it at its source and provide the resources communities need to address the pollution.”

For residents like Brittany Palmer of Carroll County, the effort brings cautious optimism. After learning about PFAS a year ago, she became deeply concerned about its impact on her family — especially her young daughter.

“You don’t realize how many things have forever chemicals in them,” Palmer said. “It’s really scary… It sounds like it’s going to be a great thing — help us have cleaner water and a better future.”

Spotlight on Maryland will continue to monitor PFAS levels in Hampstead.

Spotlight on Maryland is a joint venture by FOX45 News, The Baltimore Sun and WJLA in Washington, D.C. Have a news tip? Contact Tessa Bentulan at tbentulan@sbgtv.com.

A national study released by the Waterkeeper Alliance found PFAS contamination in rivers, creeks, canals and a bayou across 19 states. Among the findings were elevated levels of PFAS in the Monocacy River, making it the seventh-most contaminated waterway sampled.

Brent Walls, the Upper Potomac riverkeeper, collected water samples from various points along the river. His results showed PFAS levels exceeding 59 parts per trillion downstream and more than 26 parts per trillion upstream.

“Parts per trillion is a concentration. For example, that’s one drop of a pollutant diluted in 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools,” Walls said.

One of the samples was taken near a boat ramp — an area where residents often swim, fish or launch boats. Walls said such locations are important to monitor because people, especially children, can inadvertently ingest contaminated water during recreational activities.

“Typically, we don’t go down to the river’s edge and drink it,” Walls said. “But when we’re recreating on the water — especially small children — we do ingest some of that water. That adds to our exposure levels.”

There are no safe levels of PFAS, according to health experts. However, the Environmental Protection Agency has set its drinking water standards for PFAS between 4 and 10 parts per trillion.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of human-made chemicals used to make products water- and heat-resistant. Common sources include waterproof clothing, stain-resistant detergents and some cosmetics.

Walls said the chemicals are widespread and difficult to remove once in the environment.

“The products we flush go into the sewer system and into our treatment plants,” he said. “Treatment plants do not filter it out, and it’s directly discharged into our rivers and streams. I’m not blaming wastewater treatment plants — they can’t filter something this small. We’re talking parts per trillion.”

The City of Frederick’s wastewater treatment plant oversees the portion of the Monocacy River where some of Walls’ samples were taken. In a statement, a city spokesperson said:

“The City of Frederick remains committed to providing safe, clean water to our residents and businesses. We conduct regular, comprehensive testing of our water supply — including all our sources, one of which is the Monocacy River. That testing consistently shows the city’s water system is in full compliance with all applicable state and federal standards, including those established by the Environmental Protection Agency for PFAS.

“The city closely monitors evolving science, regulations, and testing protocols related to PFAS, and we take proactive steps to ensure our community’s drinking water meets or exceeds safety guidelines. All water entering the city’s distribution system undergoes rigorous treatment and quality control measures to meet federal standards. Residents can review detailed information about our water quality in our annual Consumer Confidence Report, available on the City’s website.”

Walls said one of the primary sources of contamination is people.

“We are definitely contributing to a large portion of the PFAS problem because of the products we use,” he said. “I don’t blame people — it’s a very new issue.”

Walls also pointed to concerns about how wastewater treatment byproducts are handled.

“When a wastewater treatment plant is cleaning up water, it has sludge afterwards. In some circles it’s called biosolids,” he said.

Those biosolids can be applied to farmland. But Walls said PFAS concentrations in biosolids are significantly higher than in treated water.

“Biosolids can be applied to farm fields at much higher concentrations than parts per trillion. Thousands of times higher.” Walls said. “Any food products grown on those fields — or used to feed animals — can add into our primary exposure of PFAS.”

Spotlight on Maryland is a collaborative project by FOX45 News, WJLA in Washington, D.C., and The Baltimore Sun. Have a tip or story idea? Contact Tessa Bentulan at tbentulan@sbgtv.com.