Michelle Leopold with her son Trevor

Just one pill: fentanyl deaths on the rise in Marin and Sonoma counties

By: Nikki Silverstein | Jan 31, 2023 Trevor Leopold would have turned 22 on Jan. 30. Instead, he’s “forever 18,” his mother says. When Greenbrae resident Michelle Leopold received the news that her 18-year-old son died in his Sonoma State University dorm room, she didn’t need to wait for the coroner’s report to know what…

capitol building of the U.S.

SAMHSA Applauds Expansion of Access to Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) applauds provisions included in the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 117-328) that will significantly expand access to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD). The act, signed into law by President Biden on Dec. 29, 2022, amended the Controlled Substances Act to eliminate the requirement for qualified…

friends together looking out at city
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Upcoming Event: Friend to Friend

Helping those you care about during challenging times TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 5:30-7:00 PM at the Mill Valley COMMUNITY CENTER (free event) Heart of the Village in partnership with the Marin County Suicide Prevention Collaborative invites you to join in this unique, transformative experience.  An evening of discussion and role playing on peer-to-peer support with mental…

Needle with drop of liquid substance coming out

A Horrifying Drug Called ‘Tranq Dope’ Is Spreading in the US

The animal tranquilizer xylazine, which has been linked to severe wounds and amputations, has been detected in nearly 40 states. VICE | Manisha Krishnan November 15, 2022 After two years of sobriety, Allie Gramlich began using drugs again in April. This time around, Philadelphia’s street opioid supply was infiltrated with tranq or tranq dope, a…

student holding books and back pack

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

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 –…

Person holding phone in hand with social media apps

Fentanyl killed their son. Now they’re begging parents to understand the dangers

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…

stormy clouds and lightning

Marin County opens emergency shelter as county braces for flooding

BY ALEX N. GECANAGECAN@MARINIJ.COM Marin County has opened its emergency shelter for homeless residents as a series of storms descends on the Bay Area. Emergency agencies have begun passing out sandbags and warning residents in low-lying areas that more flooding could be on the way. A flood watch will be in effect from Friday evening…

single lit candle

Tribute for homeless that died in the streets

Names are read at annual San Rafael remembrance By Richard Halstead rhalstead@marinij.com Marin’s homeless community paused this week to remember those who died while living on the streets. A memorial hosted by the San Rafael-based Street Chaplaincy held Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church of San Rafael featured a reading of the names of 21 people…

Narcan Kit
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A major drugmaker plans to sell overdose-reversal nasal spray Narcan over the counter

Brain Mann | NPR Dec. 13, 2022 Drug maker Emergent BioSolutions is seeking approval from the Food and Drug Administration to sell Narcan over the counter, without need for a prescription. The medication, an easy-to-use nasal spray version of the drug naloxone, has a strong track record reversing deadly opioid overdoses, which have soared in…

colored pencils in a container
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Narcan could be required at schools

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…