New Law Hopes to Prevent Fentanyl and Drug Overdose Deaths on CA College Campuses

KCRA Staff California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced on Tuesday a multi-state proposed settlement with Walmart to resolve allegations that the company helped fuel the opioid crisis by failing to oversee its pharmacies. California is expected to get about $265 million of the $3.1 billion settlement. The majority of the money will be used to…

California Medical Association The Medical Board of California recently published a long-awaited update to its opioid prescribing guidelines, which will make it easier for patients to get the care they need while maintaining appropriate safeguards. Importantly, the medical board has clarified that the guidelines are not intended to replace a physician’s clinical judgment and individualized, patient-centered…

By Josh Campbell | CNN Wed December 28, 2022 It was every parent’s worst nightmare. Two days after Christmas 2020, Chris Didier went into his son Zach’s bedroom in their home near Sacramento. The accomplished student, school theater actor and athlete was unresponsive at his desk – his head lying on his arm. “I could feel…

By: Lesley McClurg Public health officials in Marin County are now tracking illicit drugs in local wastewater — everything from nicotine to methamphetamine and fentanyl. Testing sewer water can illustrate exactly what is “hot” and where, offering a more accurate picture of the drug crisis than simply counting overdoses. “We know now that our clinical…

The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) unveiled the rollout of distribution of free, all-in-one fentanyl test strip (FTS) kits, aimed at curbing drug overdoses statewide. As long as funding permits, qualifying organizations eligible for the Naloxone Distribution Project (NDP) can now seek free FTS kits via the online application process. These comprehensive kits…