Follows explosion of drug fatalities during pandemic Source: Marin Independent Journal Overdose deaths in California have significantly decreased for nine consecutive months, following a surge in fatalities during the pandemic, with a 17% drop from the peak in August 2023. Experts attribute this decline to a combination of factors, including expanded addiction treatment, public awareness…
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…
SACRAMENTO — The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has launched the Empowering Faith Leaders in California project, in partnership with the Clinton Foundation’s Global Initiative’s Overdose Response Network, and is investing in hospital emergency departments to continue to assist Californians in need of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and mental health treatment services. The…
Rozina Sabur | The Telegraph Rizzy Spoer began using drugs aged 12. Growing up in San Francisco’s Bay Area, she enjoyed experimenting with as many illicit substances as she could. It got to a point, she said, where she was “probably going to die”. In her experience, her story isn’t “uncommon”. Now aged 34, she…
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: 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…
NBC 4 | December 27, 2022 A new law that takes effect Jan. 1, 2023 aims to reduce opioid-related overdoses and deaths at public colleges and universities in California. The Campus Opioid Safety Act Senate Bill 367 requires the California Department of Public Health to provide updated life-saving education and federally approved opioid overdose reversal medication –…
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 Mackenzie Mays Los Angeles Times SACRAMENTO >> Following spates of fentanyl overdoses among students, California public schools could be required to provide Narcan on campuses — a nasal spray that can reverse deadly effects of opioids. The proposal is part of legislation introduced by both Democratic and Republican state lawmakers this week that aims…
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…