At least 27 people were hospitalized following a mass overdose incident in Baltimore.

The community outreach organizations are stepping up to the plate in Baltimore’s Penn North neighborhood after a suspected mass overdose event hospitalized 27 individuals on Thursday.

First responders were seen rushing from the Baltimore City Fire and Health departments after being dispatched at about 9:25 am following reports of several people showing signs and symptoms of mass overdose across the area.

Victims were found along Pennsylvania and North Avenues, subway platforms, and in nearby alleyways, giving rise to a prompt Level One mass casualty declaration.

Reports from local media outlets spoke about how the crisis has left citizens and residents of the community shaken, and there are growing calls for stronger overdose prevention, faster access to treatment, and more robust measures for emergencies.

This is said to be a level one mass casualty event as per the authorities. So far, 27 people have been hospitalized, and five of them are said to be in a critical situation. So far, authorities have yet to confirm which substance was involved, but the Baltimore City Health Department did share more about how a drug called New Jack City might have been laced, but the reports are yet to be verified as investigations on this front continue.