Latest news with #TuerkHouse
CBS News
19-07-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Man shares his 31-year journey to sobriety amid Baltimore's ongoing opioid crisis
Vincent Johnson remembers the moment everything changed. "The cracking moment was just being sick and tired of being sick and tired," he said. "In and out of jail… waking up in the morning, so miserable, not loving yourself." Johnson, a former drug dealer and heroin addict, is now celebrating 31 years of sobriety. His story of redemption comes at a time when Baltimore continues to grapple with the deep-rooted challenges of drug abuse — especially following last week's mass overdose at the intersection of Pennsylvania and North Avenues, where 27 people overdosed in one day from a bad batch of fentanyl laced with a powerful sedative. At age 18, Johnson says he "crossed the street" on East Baltimore's Greenmount Avenue — both literally and metaphorically — into a lifestyle of drug sales and use. "What they didn't tell me is what would come with running across that street," Johnson said. Heroin quickly became his drug of choice, leading to a cycle of addiction, incarceration, and personal shame. So when he heard about the recent mass overdose, his response was immediate. "Wow… thank you, Lord, that Vincent wasn't there," he said. "Because at one time, Vincent might have been there." Just blocks from the epicenter of the overdose, the Tuerk House in West Baltimore continues to offer a lifeline. The facility's Crisis Stabilization Center operates 24/7, providing detox beds, medical supervision, and therapy for those ready to begin recovery. "This is a treatment center — we call it the emergency room for substance use," said Dr. Maud Ayree, director of the stabilization center. "So someone just used and came in, their mind is not clear… we get them through to a bed." Dr. Ayree said their approach meets clients "where they are," even if they're employed or caring for families while battling addiction. Pierre Thomas, director of admissions at Tuerk House, said the center serves more than 300 people each month. "We want them to feel like we care about them," Thomas said. "They're getting hot meals, individual therapy, and support that feels like home." Johnson's transformation now includes becoming a licensed child care provider and a deacon at his church. He credits his faith — and one prayer in particular — for helping sustain him through recovery. "God grant me the serenity of the things I cannot change… the courage to change the things I can… and the wisdom to know the difference," Johnson recited, quoting the Serenity Prayer that's a staple in many recovery programs. While many in Baltimore continue to battle addiction, Johnson's story offers a powerful reminder: recovery is possible. For more information about the 24/7 services at the Tuerk House, people can call 410-735-1701 or visit their website.
CBS News
17-07-2025
- Health
- CBS News
How is the Tuerk House helping survivors of a mass overdose in West Baltimore?
Two survivors are on the long road to recovery at a West Baltimore behavioral health facility, a week after a mass overdose incident rocked the intersection of Pennsylvania and North Avenues. A man in his 50s and a woman in her late 30s or early 40s are currently undergoing treatment at the Tuerk House, a longstanding recovery center. They were among the 27 people who overdosed on Thursday, July 10, in what officials now believe was caused by a particularly potent strain of fentanyl. "This looks like a really bad strain of fentanyl that was put out there," said Dr. Maud Ayre, Director of the Crisis Stabilization Center. "Of course, when we heard it, we were all on alert." Pierre Thomas, the Director of Admissions at the Tuerk House, called the mass overdose unprecedented. "It was a scary situation, something I've never seen since I've been in this field and working here," Thomas said. The victims were referred to the Tuerk House by local hospitals in the immediate aftermath of the mass overdose. Their rooms are quiet and clinical, yet full of support, with 24-hour nursing staff and access to individual counseling. "One is downstairs and one is right here in this room," said Thomas, walking WJZ through the facility. "We have a 50-year-old male patient who came here from the hospital. He's getting his detox. He has a full shower, we have providers, and peer support." The goal of the Tuerk House isn't just recovery; it's about dignity and compassion. For many patients, especially those with repeated relapses, the care must be continuous and without judgment. "They're on the street, so this is home," Thomas said. "When they come here, we want them to feel like they're home. That's why we're called the Tuerk House." Dr. Ayre emphasized the importance of peer support and community during recovery. "From what we're hearing, they are hopeful," Dr. Ayre said. "They have other people there who engage with them and talk to them. It gives them that glimmer of hope—they are not in this alone." The recent mass overdose has renewed concerns about the strength and spread of fentanyl in open-air drug markets throughout Baltimore. But it's also prompted swift action by frontline addiction and mental health workers who say they are committed to being there not just in crisis, but in the weeks and months ahead. On Friday, WJZ will provide an inside look at the 24/7 Crisis Stabilization Center housed at the Tuerk House, one of the city's most vital resources for those struggling with addiction. For now, the two survivors remain focused on healing, and those around them are focused on helping them through it.
CBS News
27-06-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Baltimore resident says knife-wielding neighbor's death by police shooting was preventable
A West Baltimore community is seeking answers after a knife-wielding neighbor was shot and killed by police Wednesday afternoon. Police said a 70-year-old woman lunged at officers with a knife twice during a mental health crisis before she was tased and was then shot twice. She was taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Janet Bailey, the president of the Laburt Improvement Community Association, is advocating for mental health resources in the neighborhood. She said her neighbor's death was preventable. "Even if you shot her, could she be shot in the leg or the foot, in the arm, in the shoulder?" Bailey said. "Where she had the knife and was coming down on ya'll, couldn't she have been shot in the shoulder? Did she have to be shot two times and killed…70 years old…I'm saying 70 years old." Neighbor passes out mental health information Bailey is pushing to get her community some help to deal with mental health issues. She walked door-to-door and handed out information about the Tuerk House, which is a behavioral health and urgent care center in their neighborhood. Bailey passed out the flyers to honor her neighbor. "She has rights too, so my prayers are with her and her family," Bailey said. "I'm going to pass out these flyers today in the heat, come hell or high water. Our people need to know." Police: 70-year-old was shot twice by an officer Around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, police responded to the home in the 2700 block of Mosher Street, where they found a 70-year-old woman suffering from a behavioral health crisis. Police said the woman pulled out a knife, lunged at officers, including one who fell, and was then shot twice. Commissioner Richard Worley said officers attempted to take her into custody for her safety, but when she didn't comply with orders, she was tased and then shot. Worley said there have been more than 20 calls to the home this year, including for behavioral health crises. "I think this is a nationwide crisis with behavioral health crisis. Unfortunately, too many of them end up with the use of force," Worley said. "We've done an excellent job with training our officers, getting them to de-escalate these situations. Unfortunately, this one, they weren't able to de-escalate, and it ended in tragedy." Maryland's Attorney General's Office is investigating, which is the protocol for police shootings.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
13 new sobering stations at MultCo defelction center provide ‘path to recovery'
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Multnomah County's Southeast Portland deflection center is set to gain 13 new sobering stations on April 28. On Wednesday, county officials announced that 24-hour beds would come online as part of a phased plan to eventually open a separate Sobering & Crisis Stabilization Center at 1901 SE Grand Ave. While the permanent sobering center, with up to 50 withdrawal management stations is slated to open in the Fall of 2027, county leaders said the current expansion will help increase access to recovery services for people suffering from substance abuse disorder. Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards, who led the sobering center plan, said the expansion would offer law enforcement more opportunities to refer people caught with illegal drugs to treatment instead of jail, including those experiencing acute intoxication. 'The community and first responders have been clear about the need for sobering as an alternative to emergency departments, jail, or leaving people on the streets,' said Brim-Edwards. 'By offering a safe and supportive environment, we can help individuals begin their journey to recovery, while improving community safety and reducing the burdens on our emergency medical and justice systems.' The announcement comes after the Coordinated Care Pathway Center switched to a 24-hour model on April 14. Previously, law enforcement could only refer qualifying drug offenders to the Coordinated Care Pathway Center for deflection on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and weekends from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. 'These 13 sobering beds expand our capacity to provide a safe, stable place to go for people needing care and respite on their path to recovery,' said Chair Jessica Vega Pederson. 'This new 24/7 resource fills a critical gap in crisis services that will benefit law enforcement partners, first responders, and our broader community. It's an important addition to our larger continuum of care.' The Portland Metro region has seen a gap in low-barrier drop-off locations since 2019, when the city closed its sobering center. Following construction delays, the Coordinated Care Pathway Center opened on October 14, 2024, shortly after the implementation of House Bill 4002. The law re-introduced criminal penalties for people possessing small amounts of hard drugs in Oregon and granted counties the ability to build deflection programs to help people with addiction. According to county data, between September 1, 2024, when Multnomah County kicked off its deflection program and February 28, 2025, law enforcement referred 267 people to participate in deflection. The county claims the center's service provider Tuerk House will prioritize referrals for sobering stations from law enforcement deflection before offering availability to outreach workers, first responders, and other service groups. 'We are committed to providing patient-centered, trauma-informed care,' said Bernard Gyebi-Foster, Chief Executive Officer of Tuerk House. 'Our services are designed to offer a pathway to treatment and support, addressing the complex needs of each individual. With the opening of 24/7 sobering services, we are now able to provide immediate treatment around the clock to those in need, and we have a longer time to make a more meaningful connection with them. While they are with us, our goal will be to get to know each person as best as we can and help them make informed decisions about the best next step in their recovery.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
