Latest news with #NIST
CBS News
2 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
5 more people hospitalized after another overdose call in Baltimore
Five people were hospitalized Friday after another reported overdose incident in Baltimore's Penn North neighborhood, according to Baltimore police. It comes almost one week after a mass overdose in the community sent 27 people to hospitals. Currently, officials said there is no evidence to suggest the two incidents are related. Police said two of the victims on Friday were in serious condition. Two people refused treatment after Narcan was given. On Thursday, federal scientists reported that a batch of illicit drugs, mixed with fentanyl and a sedative, may have been the cause of the mass overdose on July 10, according to our partners at The Baltimore Banner. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) tested samples that were collected from the area and found a mix of drugs that included N-Methylclonazepam, a sedative that can have hypnotic side effects. The sample also contained the pain medication acetaminophen, the diuretic Mannitol, the anti-malaria drug quinine and caffeine. According to NIST Research Chemist Edward Sisco, the N-Methylclonazepam could be the reason why so many people remained unconscious even after Narcan was administered. Narcan, also known as Naloxone, blocks the effects of opioids, reversing overdoses, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH). Baltimore police treated the area as a crime scene after the mass overdose, canvassing and interviewing witnesses. Three days after the incident, five people were arrested in the area for drug possession with intent to distribute, according to police. It is unclear if the arrests are linked to the overdose. Community partners and addiction advocates have maintained a presence in the Penn North community since the mass overdose was reported. On the day of the incident, partners handed out Narcan and shared information about addiction treatment in the neighborhood. Residents can find more resources at the Enoch Pratt Library's Pennsylvania Avenue branch on weekdays during business hours.
CBS News
3 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Baltimore leaders discuss plan to combat opioid crisis near city's mass overdose site
Baltimore leaders discussed strategies for tackling the city's opioid crisis with residents in the same community where 27 people were hospitalized on July 10 in a mass overdose. Inside the Gethsamane Baptist Church, in the North Penn community, the Mayor's Office of Overdose Response presented its strategic overdose plan focusing on prevention, treatment, and recovery. On Thursday, scientists with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) said drug samples collected from the overdose site revealed a mix of drugs, including N-Methylclonazepam, an ingredient the NIST had not encountered before in street drugs. It can cause intense sedative and hypnotic side effects. A part of the mayor's plan calls for ramping up naloxone distribution (Narcan), possibly mobile treatment centers, and providing 24/7 access to treatment and support services. City leaders are asking for community input and suggestions on ways to eliminate drug overdoses. "It is a plan that is for the entire city, so getting feedback from community members about what the plan looks like and how it's going to show up in their community is really important for us to make sure we're getting it right," said Sara Whaley, executive director of the Mayor's Office of Overdose Response. With $400 million in settlement money from pharmaceutical companies now available to the city, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and his administration are looking to pour that money back into the community by funding resources to curb addiction. "If we want people to get help, we have to have that help there right there on the spot," Mayor Scott said. "This isn't a cookie-cutter thing. When someone is ready to get help or hits rock bottom or goes to something that makes them want to change, what is happening with them, we have to have people there to support that person in that moment, we cannot wait." Donald Young shared his story about fentanyl abuse. He said his mother died from an overdose in 2016. "I lost my mother in 2016 to a fentanyl overdose, and I suffered from substance use until I got clean," Young said. Young was one of dozens of residents in West Baltimore looking for solutions to end the opioid crisis. "We need to see more efforts like this at the prevention and not wait until there's a mass overdose," Young said. As the investigation is still ongoing, residents say they want to make sure mass overdoses don't happen again. "If it's constantly in our environment, then what else are we going to see? But we have to get more involved," resident Terrell Carpenter said. "We can't just talk and not do things. That's one of the reasons why I'm here." WJZ got a tour of the Tuerk House in West Baltimore, where some of the survivors of the mass overdose went for treatment. The survivors 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 Dr. Pierre Thomas. "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." Two additional listening sessions will be held in July: Read the Overdose Strategic Plan here.
CBS News
3 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
New illicit drug containing fentanyl and powerful sedative may be behind mass overdose in Baltimore
A batch of illicit drugs that was mixed with fentanyl, a powerful sedative and other substances may have been the cause of a mass overdose in Baltimore, federal scientists told our partners at the Baltimore Banner. At least 27 people were hospitalized after the mass overdose in the Penn North neighborhood on July 10. On Thursday, scientists with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) said drug samples collected from the overdose site revealed a mix of drugs, including N-Methylclonazepam, an ingredient the NIST had not encountered before in street drugs. It can cause intense sedative and hypnotic side effects. "Many people remained unconscious after receiving naloxone, likely as a result of the presence of N-methylclonazepam," NIST Research Chemist Edward Sisco told the Banner. Naloxone, more commonly known by its brand name Narcan, is a medication that reverses opioid overdoses by blocking the effects of the drug, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH). Sisco said the drug samples also contained the pain medication acetaminophen, the diuretic Mannitol, the anti-malaria drug quinine and caffeine. According to Sisco, those drugs are often found in samples tested in Maryland. Data from the Baltimore Health Department shows there were 921 fentanyl-related deaths reported in the city in 2023. Between July 2024 and July 2025, the Maryland Department of Health reported 980 fentanyl-related deaths across the state. 487 of those incidents were in Baltimore, data shows. In 2024, overdose deaths in the city dropped by nearly 25%. At the time of the mass overdose, witnesses told WJZ the alleged drug was called "New Jack City" and may have been laced with antifreeze, though those reports are now proven to be unfounded. First responders in Baltimore jumped into action when the first overdose was reported at the intersection of Pennsylvania and North Avenues. Crews initially found one person who they believed to be suffering from a drug overdose. Community members then alerted crews to additional victims in the area. At least 27 people were taken to hospitals, seven in critical condition. On July 13, five people were arrested for possession with intent to distribute drugs near the location where the overdose occurred, Baltimore Police said. However, it is unclear if the arrests are connected to the mass overdose, police said. Community partners and addiction advocates swarmed the Penn North neighborhood with resources shortly after the overdoses were reported. Officials with the city's Office of Overdose Response handed out Narcan and passed out test strips. They encouraged anyone who planned to use drugs to be extremely cautious. "We're really just trying to engage the community to let folks know that if they are using today, that we don't know what's in the supply, and for folks to be careful," Overdose Response Executive Director Sara Whaley said. Advocates have maintained a presence in the neighborhood, letting residents know that help is available. Residents can connect with peer supervisors at the Enoch Pratt Library's Pennsylvania Avenue branch on weekdays during business hours. They can also call the 988 helpline to connect with a counselor or find treatment.
Business Wire
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
PCI ® Secures HITRUST Recertification–Again
WESTON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Postal Center International® (PCI®), one of the nation's leading providers of mail, print, fulfillment, signs, and marketing solutions, today announced it has earned recertification for the HITRUST Risk-based, 2-year (r2) Certification – a highly esteemed benchmark that validates the strength of PCI's information security and risk management programs. "In an era where security is synonymous with client confidence, this certification reinforces PCI's reputation as a technology-forward, compliance-first organization that leads with integrity, accountability, and innovation." Share This elite achievement places PCI among a select group of global organizations recognized for their ability to safeguard sensitive information through rigorous compliance with key industry standards and regulations. The HITRUST r2 Certification confirms that PCI's IT infrastructure, systems, and workflow processes meet comprehensive security requirements derived from a wide range of federal and state regulations, frameworks, and risk-based controls. 'Achieving HITRUST r2 recertification is a badge of honor and is proof of our relentless commitment to safeguarding the trust our clients place in us every day,' said Ismael Diaz, President & CEO of PCI. 'In an era where security is synonymous with client confidence, this certification reinforces PCI's reputation as a technology-forward, compliance-first organization that leads with integrity, accountability, and innovation.' The HITRUST Assurance Program is the gold standard for data protection and information risk management. Its integrated, prescriptive, and scalable control framework allows organizations to address evolving cybersecurity challenges while aligning with leading standards such as ISO, NIST, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and COBIT. For PCI, the HITRUST recertification means: Clients can be assured that their data is being handled with the highest level of security, confidentiality, and regulatory adherence. Industry partners can rely on PCI's infrastructure as a secure extension of their own compliance ecosystems. Associates gain confidence and pride in working for a company that prioritizes cybersecurity, promotes continuous improvement, and invests in resilient systems and secure workflows. This achievement underscores PCI's unwavering focus on risk-based security management and regulatory alignment,' said Brian McGrath, Chief Information Officer of PCI. 'Our team has diligently woven compliance and security into the fabric of our culture, systems, and daily operations. The HITRUST r2 recertification reflects our dedication to operational excellence and our preparedness to protect sensitive data in a constantly evolving digital landscape. As PCI continues its national expansion with secure facilities in the Southeast, Northeast, Midwest, Southwest, West, and Mid-Atlantic regions, the HITRUST r2 Certification serves as a powerful differentiator, underscoring the company's position as a trusted partner for enterprise clients in healthcare, finance, insurance, government, and beyond. Recently, PCI also achieved ISO 9001 Certification, further validating the company's robust quality management systems and its dedication to continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction across all business functions. To learn more about how PCI's HITRUST Risk-based, 2-year (r2) Certification can positively impact your mail operations, visit or contact a PCI Account Executive today. For more information about PCI and its initiatives, please email marketing@ About Postal Center International (PCI) Postal Center International (PCI) was founded in 1984 and is a leading mail, print, signs, fulfillment, promotional, packaging, and marketing solutions partner. Under the leadership of President & CEO Ismael Diaz since 2006, PCI has become renowned as one of the nation's fastest-growing postal and mail processing organizations and among the largest state-of-the-art printers. The company's family of brands employs more than 600 associates with locations in the Southeast, Southwest, Northeast, Midwest, West, and Mid-Atlantic regions, with a footprint totaling 562K square feet. PCI delivers exceptional solutions to enterprise clients in banking, financial, healthcare, insurance, hospitality, and government nationwide. PCI is a HIPAA-compliant Certified Minority Owned Diverse Supplier at the state and national levels. It holds multiple security, sustainability, and quality certifications, including HITRUST CSF®, ISO 9001, TruSight, FDR, PCI DSS, SOC 2 (Type 2), FSC, SFI, PEFC, and G7.
Business Wire
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
NIST USGv6 Test Program Achieves Significant Milestone for IPv6-Enabled Networks
DURHAM, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--he University of New Hampshire Interoperability Labs (UNH-IOL), in collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is proud to announce a significant program achievement, 1,000 combined product entries between the USGv6 (2008) and USGv6-r1 Product Registries. This milestone supports the Federal government's initiative to adopt IPv6 and transition to IPv6-only networks with a goal of at least 80% of IP-enabled assets on Federal networks are operating in IPv6-only environments by the end of FY2025. UNH Interoperability Labs recognizes the milestone of over 1,000 combined listings in the USGv6 and USGv6-r1 Product Registries for IPv6-enabled networks, a significant achievement for the NIST USGv6 Test Program. Share The USGv6 test program was launched back in 2008 to facilitate the adoption of IPv6 within the U.S. Government. The test program supports the reliable procurement of IPv6-capable networked IT products and services. The USGv6 Test Program is a comprehensive test program designed to ensure that network products comply with IPv6 specifications established by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). Governments and enterprises are prioritizing IPv6 to future-proof their networks and meet the performance and security demands of modern applications. 'The University of New Hampshire Interoperability Labs has been a vital partner in the definition, evolution, and execution of the USGv6 Testing Program,' said Doug Montgomery, Manager of Internet Technologies Research at NIST. 'Providing standards-based conformance, interoperability, and functional testing covering over 1,000 distinct IPv6-enabled products has significantly benefited the networking industry as a whole and provided a vital tool to support the acquisition of IPv6 technologies by the Government.' The UNH-IOL is recognized as a leading independent provider of testing and standards conformance services, playing a vital role in fostering innovation and compliance within the networking industry. Since 2008, it has established itself as a leader in IPv6 testing by collaborating closely with organizations such as NIST, the IPv6 Forum, and the IETF. Additionally, the lab offers IOL INTACT ® software, which enhances development cycles by improving test readiness for testing under the USGv6 and IPv6 Ready Logo programs. IOL INTACT ensures that products meet stringent criteria for functionality, interoperability, and deployment readiness in IPv6 environments. For more information about the USGv6 Test Program, IPv6 Testing & Certification, or to explore the full product registry, please visit the UNH-IOL IPv6 Testing Service webpage. The University of New Hampshire Interoperability Labs (UNH-IOL) is an independent provider of broad-based testing and standards conformance services for the networking and data communications industry. Since 1988, UNH-IOL has been at the forefront of multi-vendor interoperability, offering a neutral and secure environment for testing emerging technologies and developing testing solutions to help companies deliver products to market. With over 28,000 square feet of advanced lab space and multimillion-dollar testbeds, the lab supports a wide range of technologies including Ethernet, IPv6, NVMe ®, and automotive networking. UNH-IOL is a 100% industry-funded, non-profit organization shaping global standards while preparing the next generation of engineers through hands-on student engagement and workforce development in collaboration with the University of New Hampshire.
