Six months ago, Mobtown Mag was born. And since then, I've learned independent journalism isn't easy — especially for someone who didn't have a pre-existing audience base or funding sources.
It's been a bit of a passion project, and it's proven to be very different from what I experienced during the six years I worked as a journalist covering city government at newspapers in Pennsylvania and Tennessee.
It has, however, been rewarding.
Prior to Mobtown Mag's launch, I had spent a year writing under the moniker "The Long Haul," covering drug policy and politics from a leftist perspective. After some careful consideration, I decided to rebrand the publication and tailor its coverage to Baltimore, my new home.
As a recovering addict, I also wanted to dedicate my efforts solely to covering drug policy and addiction.
Since then, a lot has happened in the epicenter of the overdose crisis, and Mobtown Mag now has gained more than 100 subscribers. To say I'm grateful for those who have supported me would be an understatement.
Therefore, in the spirit of ushering in the new year, here's a breakdown of my top five articles of 2024:
I. Baltimore has the highest overdose death rate in the nation. How did it get here?
One of my first projects was a deep dive into Baltimore's overdose death rate, which remains the highest of any major U.S. city. The article came well before any local outlet took a detailed look at the rate at which Baltimoreans die of overdoses.
II. Harm reduction is imperative to save lives in Baltimore and beyond, says researcher and author Sheila Vakharia
I profiled Sheila Vakharia, deputy director of the Department of Research and Academic Engagement at the Drug Policy Alliance, about her new book, "The Harm Reduction Gap." Vakharia is a harm reduction expert, and her book is essential reading for anyone who wants to learn about reducing the harms of drug use.
III. Amid Baltimore's OD crisis, officials' silence will likely continue through Election Day
A lack of transparency from public officials has been a recurring theme and thorn in my side since launching Mobtown Mag. This article, also published in the invaluable Baltimore Beat, looked at how ongoing litigation allowed officials to remain mum about the overdose crisis as they tried to court voters ahead of Election Day.
IV. The Baltimore Harm Reduction Coalition doesn't just save lives. It builds meaningful relationships
I profiled the Baltimore Harm Reduction Coalition, one of numerous life-saving nonprofits in Baltimore. In just three months, the organization had more than 1,200 participants receive their services. It also provided nearly 60,000 syringes through its syringe service program. This article was also published in the Baltimore Beat.
V. Baltimore’s $5.2 billion opioid lawsuit now in the hands of one judge
In my debut article for Filter, an online harm reduction magazine, I covered the second phase of a landmark opioid trial. The city is seeking $5.2 billion from McKesson and Cencora, formerly called AmerisourceBergen, to abate its overdose crisis. Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Lawrence P. Fletcher-Hill is expected to issue a written ruling as early as February, which I'll also be covering for Mobtown Mag and Filter.
I launched Mobtown Mag to shed light on the city's overdose crisis and combat the stigma associated with drug use. But I also wanted it to serve the public, which is why I have some honorable mentions.
For example, I maintain a comprehensive overdose data dashboard, which has grown to include local, state and national data. I also maintain a list of addiction and drug use resources for those seeking help.
Mobtown Mag has published some good work this year, and I'm proud of it. I expect it to only get better once the city's opioid litigation wraps up, which is expected to free city officials from the constraints of Baltimore's legal pursuits.
In 2025, I'm going to continue to steadfastly pursue stories about addiction and drug policy in Baltimore. I'd appreciate it if you could subscribe or donate to support my work and allow me to continue doing what I love.
Stay tuned. I look forward to what the new year will bring.
Comments