Drug overdose deaths plummet in San Francisco. What’s changed?
1 week, 1 day ago

Drug overdose deaths plummet in San Francisco. What’s changed?

LA Times  

After surging during the COVID pandemic into a crushing public health emergency, drug overdose deaths in San Francisco plummeted in 2024, according to preliminary data compiled by city health officials. San Francisco public health experts attributed the decline in fatal drug use in the city to the widespread availability of naloxone, a medication commonly sold under the brand name Narcan that can rapidly reverse the effects of opioid overdoses, as well as buprenorphine and methadone, prescription medications that treat opioid addiction long-term. “We are cautiously optimistic that our public health interventions are starting to see results in terms of saving lives,” said Dr. Grant Colfax, director of the San Francisco Department of Public Health. Still, Breed said the recent decline in overdose deaths is a testament to her administration’s decision to take a “harder stance” against illicit drug use, arresting dealers and mandating treatment for some users.

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History of this topic

US overdose deaths are down, giving experts hope for an enduring decline
1 month, 3 weeks ago

US overdose deaths are down, giving experts hope for an enduring decline

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — The decline in U.S. drug overdose deaths appears to have continued this year, giving experts hope the nation is seeing sustained improvement in the persistent epidemic. There were about 97,000 overdose deaths in the 12-month period that ended June 30, according to provisional Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data released Wednesday. “This is a pretty stunning …

Drug overdose deaths may be decreasing — but not for everyone
3 months ago

Drug overdose deaths may be decreasing — but not for everyone

Salon  

Late last month, news outlets reported that drug overdose deaths across the country were "falling fast," in a “promising” trend that is “saving thousands of lives — But many people working on the ground in harm reduction spaces say the national trend does not align with what they are seeing as they continue to watch people who use drugs in …

US overdoses have fallen sharply in recent months, a hopeful shift in trends
3 months, 3 weeks ago

US overdoses have fallen sharply in recent months, a hopeful shift in trends

CNN  

CNN — Federal data shows that overdose deaths in the United States are the lowest they’ve been in three years, and a new analysis suggests that some downward trends indicate “unprecedented” progress in the fight against the drug epidemic. “I think also it’s important to note that there are still more people dying from overdose than before the pandemic, and …

Fewer US overdose deaths were reported last year, but experts are still cautious
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Fewer US overdose deaths were reported last year, but experts are still cautious

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — The number of U.S. fatal overdoses fell last year, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data posted Wednesday. CDC Chief Medical Officer Dr. Deb Houry called the dip “heartening news” and praised efforts to reduce the tally, but she noted “there are still families and friends losing their loved ones to drug overdoses at staggering …

Drug overdose deaths in the US decreased in 2023, for the first time in five years
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Drug overdose deaths in the US decreased in 2023, for the first time in five years

CNN  

CNN — After a steep rise during the Covid-19 pandemic, preliminary data shows that drug overdose deaths in the United States ticked down in 2023 for the first time in five years. “This progress over the last 12 months should make us want to reinvigorate our efforts knowing that our strategies are making a difference,” CDC Chief Medical Officer Dr. …

Deadly overdoses fell in U.S. for first time in five years, new estimates show
7 months, 3 weeks ago

Deadly overdoses fell in U.S. for first time in five years, new estimates show

LA Times  

Deaths from drug overdoses fell last year in the United States as fewer people lost their lives to fentanyl and other opioids, marking the first time the death toll had dropped in five years, according to newly released estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “I’m thrilled that there wasn’t an increase, but we’re still talking about 107,000 …

U.S. drug deaths declined slightly in 2023 but remained at crisis levels
7 months, 3 weeks ago

U.S. drug deaths declined slightly in 2023 but remained at crisis levels

NPR  

U.S. drug deaths declined slightly in 2023 but remained at crisis levels Enlarge this image toggle caption U.S. Attorney's Office for Utah/AP U.S. Attorney's Office for Utah/AP Updated Wednesday May 15 at 1:25 p.m. In a statement released last week as part of the U.S. National Drug Threat Assessment for 2024, the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Anne Milgram, …

Some D.A.s are fighting fentanyl with murder charges. Why San Francisco will join them
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Some D.A.s are fighting fentanyl with murder charges. Why San Francisco will join them

LA Times  

San Francisco Mayor London Breed, right, with Dist. In an October statement announcing the initiative, Breed said people selling the synthetic opioid are “on notice that pushing this drug could lead to homicide charges.” Jenkins said the effort would make it easier to hold dealers “accountable for the true dangerousness of their conduct.” It’s a remarkable shift in rhetoric and …

San Francisco on track for deadliest year on record for drug overdoses with 692 people dying in the first nine months of the year - more than all of 2022 - with 80% of fatalities caused by fentanyl
1 year, 1 month ago

San Francisco on track for deadliest year on record for drug overdoses with 692 people dying in the first nine months of the year - more than all of 2022 - with 80% of fatalities caused by fentanyl

Daily Mail  

San Francisco is facing its deadliest year ever for drug overdose deaths with 692 people dying so far this year - more than in the whole of 2022. San Francisco is on track for its deadliest year ever for drug overdoses, with 692 people dying before November and the total predicted to hit over 800 Open use drug addicts in …

San Francisco Bay Area’s COVID death rate was among the lowest in the nation. Here’s why
1 year, 1 month ago

San Francisco Bay Area’s COVID death rate was among the lowest in the nation. Here’s why

LA Times  

The San Francisco Bay Area fared better during the COVID-19 pandemic than many other largely populated areas, with a cumulative COVID-19 death rate among the lowest of the nation’s most populous counties, according to a Los Angeles Times analysis. That’s 37% of Los Angeles County’s death rate of 354 deaths per 100,000 residents and one-quarter of New York City’s cumulative …

San Francisco’s homeless population 16 times more likely to die suddenly than housed neighbors, study finds
1 year, 2 months ago

San Francisco’s homeless population 16 times more likely to die suddenly than housed neighbors, study finds

LA Times  

Unhoused people in San Francisco, shown above in 2021, are far more likely to die suddenly than their housed neighbors, a UC San Francisco study found. Unhoused people living in San Francisco are 16 times more likely to die suddenly than their fellow residents who are housed, according to a new study led by researchers from UC San Francisco. “These …

Arnold Schwarzenegger tells Rob Lowe US principles of freedom, low taxes and law and order are being 'ruined' by left-wing politicians who want to 'f*** up every city in America'
1 year, 2 months ago

Arnold Schwarzenegger tells Rob Lowe US principles of freedom, low taxes and law and order are being 'ruined' by left-wing politicians who want to 'f*** up every city in America'

Daily Mail  

His remarks come just after widespread looting in Philadelphia and just a week after the Mayor of New York pleaded with migrants to stay away from the city Former Governor of California has hit out at Democratic politicians for wanting to 'f*ck up every city in America' Arnold Schwarzenegger has hit out at Democrats for wanting to 'f*ck up every …

Drug overdoses in the US slightly increased last year. But experts see hopeful signs
1 year, 7 months ago

Drug overdoses in the US slightly increased last year. But experts see hopeful signs

Associated Press  

NEW ORLEANS — Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. went up slightly last year after two big leaps during the pandemic. We shouldn’t suggest the crisis is in any way over.” An estimated 109,680 overdose deaths occurred last year, according to numbers posted Wednesday by the CDC. Plus, the stigma that kept drug users from seeking help — and some …

Total overdose: Drug-related deaths in San Francisco up by 41% in three months
1 year, 8 months ago

Total overdose: Drug-related deaths in San Francisco up by 41% in three months

Firstpost  

200 persons died of overdoses in the city in the last three months, up from 142 in the same period last year Drug-related deaths in San Francisco have increased by 41 per cent in the first quarter of 2023, with one person dying of an accidental overdose every 10 hours, reported The Guardian. According to the reports by San Francisco’s …

San Francisco moves to allow non-profits to operate supervised drug injection sites
1 year, 11 months ago

San Francisco moves to allow non-profits to operate supervised drug injection sites

CNN  

Washington CNN — San Francisco is in the process of allowing local non-profits to open so-called supervised injection sites in the city, a step that local Democratic leaders say would limit overdoses among drug users but a program that has been met with opposition by the state’s leadership. But a bill in the state Assembly died in committee that summer …

Overdose prevention reaches a crossroad in San Francisco
2 years ago

Overdose prevention reaches a crossroad in San Francisco

LA Times  

Children and drug users filled United Nations Plaza by the Tenderloin on a recent Saturday afternoon, where up until a few weeks ago, the city operated an overdose prevention site. “You’re telling me my existence isn’t worth a hello.” How you react to this description of a typical day in San Francisco — outrage or sorrow — probably sums up …

As fentanyl overdose deaths keep rising, efforts to reverse trend meet liability fears
2 years ago

As fentanyl overdose deaths keep rising, efforts to reverse trend meet liability fears

LA Times  

As fentanyl overdose deaths rise unabated, California is at the forefront of the fight to reverse the grim trend. In a perfect world, she’d erect stands or boxes containing naloxone — she likened them to “Little Free Library” boxes, but with opioid reversal medication instead of tattered paperbacks — in homeless encampments and other places where drug users congregate. A …

US overdose deaths may be peaking, but experts are wary
2 years, 1 month ago

US overdose deaths may be peaking, but experts are wary

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Have U.S. drug overdose deaths stopped rising? U.S. overdose death rates began steadily climbing in the 1990s driven by opioid painkillers, followed by waves of deaths led by other opioids like heroin and — most recently — illicit fentanyl. “Today’s data continue to show a hopeful trend of a decrease in overdose deaths,” but more prevention and …

US overdose deaths may be peaking, but experts are wary
2 years, 1 month ago

US overdose deaths may be peaking, but experts are wary

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. U.S. overdose death rates began steadily climbing in the …

America's drug crisis laid bare: CDC maps shows fatal overdoses have risen in all but EIGHT states
2 years, 2 months ago

America's drug crisis laid bare: CDC maps shows fatal overdoses have risen in all but EIGHT states

Daily Mail  

Fatal drug overdoses have risen in all but eight US states in the past year, according to official data that lays bare America's drug crisis. Alaska has seen by far the biggest percentage increase in drug overdose deaths between April 2021 and April 2022, rising by 44 per cent. The total count looks like it is coming down, but the …

California governor rejects legal drug injection sites
2 years, 4 months ago

California governor rejects legal drug injection sites

Associated Press  

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill Monday that he said could have brought “a world of unintended consequences” by allowing Los Angeles, Oakland and San Francisco to set up sites where opioid users could legally inject drugs under supervision. “The unlimited number of safe injection sites that this bill would authorize — facilities which could exist …

Death rates from drug overdoses hit historic highs in 2020
2 years, 5 months ago

Death rates from drug overdoses hit historic highs in 2020

Daily Mail  

Drug overdose deaths among black and indigenous Americans spiked in 2020 — with a total of 2,400 more being recorded during the first year of Covid compared to the previous 12 months. The report confirms previously published papers, which also showed a spike in drug overdose deaths among Black Americans during the first year of the pandemic. Drug overdose deaths …

California advances bid to create legal drug injection sites
2 years, 6 months ago

California advances bid to create legal drug injection sites

Associated Press  

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Assembly on Thursday approved a controversial bill allowing Los Angeles, Oakland and San Francisco to set up places where opioid users could legally inject drugs in supervised settings. New York City in December opened the first two publicly recognized overdose prevention sites in the United States, intervening in more than 150 overdoses, although its operation …

Report: Drug overdose deaths up again in Virginia in 2021
2 years, 7 months ago

Report: Drug overdose deaths up again in Virginia in 2021

Associated Press  

RICHMOND, Va. — The number of Virginia drug overdose deaths rose again in 2021, setting a record for a second year in a row, according to a state report. Overdose deaths increased 15% in 2021 from the previous year, to 2,656, The Virginian-Pilot reported Saturday, citing the report from the Virginia Department of Health. The powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl was …

Op-Ed: If criminal justice reform can’t survive in San Francisco, can it survive anywhere?
2 years, 7 months ago

Op-Ed: If criminal justice reform can’t survive in San Francisco, can it survive anywhere?

LA Times  

On its face, the effort to recall San Francisco Dist. That’s why the June 7 referendum on Boudin holds significance far beyond the 47 square miles of San Francisco, where violent crime rates are near historic lows, viral videos of smash-and-grabs and the twin crises of homelessness and drug deaths notwithstanding. Boudin, whose parents spent decades in prison for their …

Record 108,000 Americans died of a drug overdose in 2021, CDC reports
2 years, 7 months ago

Record 108,000 Americans died of a drug overdose in 2021, CDC reports

Daily Mail  

Deaths from drug overdoses in the U.S. hit their highest level since records began last year, provisional figures showed Wednesday — with opioids including fentanyl behind nearly three in five fatalities. It reveals figures have now reached a record high, and are surging on the last three years ‹ Slide me › The above map shows the rate of drug …

US overdose deaths hit record 107,000 last year, CDC says
2 years, 7 months ago

US overdose deaths hit record 107,000 last year, CDC says

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — More than 107,000 Americans died of drug overdoses last year, setting another tragic record in the nation’s escalating overdose epidemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated Wednesday. Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, called the latest numbers “truly staggering.” The White House issued a statement calling the accelerating pace of …

U.S. overdose deaths reached a record 107,000 last year, CDC says
2 years, 7 months ago

U.S. overdose deaths reached a record 107,000 last year, CDC says

LA Times  

Deb Walker visits the grave of her daughter, Brooke Goodwin, in December in Chester, Vt. Goodwin, 23, died in March 2021 of a fatal overdose of fentanyl and xylazine, an animal tranquilizer that is making its way into the illicit drug supply. More than 107,000 Americans died of drug overdoses last year, setting another tragic record in the nation’s escalating …

Overdose deaths in US hit record 107,000 last year, CDC says
2 years, 7 months ago

Overdose deaths in US hit record 107,000 last year, CDC says

Al Jazeera  

With opioid epidemic still rising, tragic milestone translates into one death from drug abuse every five minutes in US. More than 107,000 Americans died of drug overdoses last year, setting another tragic record in the nation’s escalating overdose epidemic, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated on Wednesday. The White House issued a statement calling the accelerating pace …

New data show US drug epidemic is deadlier than ever, but preventing overdoses is an uphill battle
2 years, 10 months ago

New data show US drug epidemic is deadlier than ever, but preventing overdoses is an uphill battle

CNN  

CNN — Drug overdose deaths have doubled over the past six years, soaring in recent months amid the Covid-19 pandemic and continued rise of fentanyl. And it’s not like they turn off overnight,” said Katherine Keyes, an associate professor at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health whose research focuses on psychiatric and substance use epidemiology. Programs like syringe …

US overdose deaths topped 100,000 in one year, officials say
3 years, 1 month ago

US overdose deaths topped 100,000 in one year, officials say

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — An estimated 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in one year, a never-before-seen milestone that health officials say is tied to the COVID-19 pandemic and a more dangerous drug supply. “It’s a magnitude of overdose death that we haven’t seen in this country.” Drug overdoses now surpass deaths from car crashes, guns and even flu and pneumonia. …

US drug overdose deaths top 100,000 in one year in 28.5% increase
3 years, 1 month ago

US drug overdose deaths top 100,000 in one year in 28.5% increase

Al Jazeera  

US CDC figures show most fatal overdoses – at least 64,000 – are due to synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl. More than 100,000 people have died from drug overdoses in the United States during the 12-month period ending April 2021, data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shown – an almost 30 percent uptick in fatalities …

U.S. drug overdose deaths top 100,000 in a year for the first time, officials say
3 years, 1 month ago

U.S. drug overdose deaths top 100,000 in a year for the first time, officials say

LA Times  

Travis Gustavson, right, in a family photo with Carter Lange, from left, Kim Gustavson, Jason Lange and Matthew Gustavson. U.S. drug overdose deaths top 100,000 in a year for the first time, officials say An estimated 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in one year, a never-before-seen milestone that health officials say is tied to the COVID-19 pandemic and a …

Drug overdose deaths reach an all-time high in US amid coronavirus pandemic
3 years, 5 months ago

Drug overdose deaths reach an all-time high in US amid coronavirus pandemic

CNN  

CNN — “I just screamed and cried. “It’s terrible news,” said Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, vice dean for public health practice at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a former deputy commission at the US Food and Drug Administration. Elazer was released from prison “smack dab in the middle of Covid,” his sister said, and despite the national …

US overdose deaths hit record 93,000 in pandemic last year
3 years, 5 months ago

US overdose deaths hit record 93,000 in pandemic last year

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — Overdose deaths soared to a record 93,000 last year in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. government reported Wednesday. That estimate far eclipses the high of about 72,000 drug overdose deaths reached the previous year and amounts to a 29% increase. Methamphetamine is contaminated.” Fentanyl was involved in more than 60% of the overdose deaths …

U.S. overdose deaths hit record 93,000 in pandemic last year, a 29% increase
3 years, 5 months ago

U.S. overdose deaths hit record 93,000 in pandemic last year, a 29% increase

LA Times  

Sharon Rivera tends to flowers and other items left at the grave of her daughter, Victoria, at Calvary Cemetery in New York, on Mother’s Day last year. Overdose deaths soared to a record 93,000 last year in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. government reported Wednesday. That estimate far eclipses the high of about 72,000 drug overdose deaths …

‘Staggering loss’: Overdose deaths spike in US during pandemic
3 years, 5 months ago

‘Staggering loss’: Overdose deaths spike in US during pandemic

Al Jazeera  

The US was already fighting a serious opioid epidemic; the pandemic exacerbated the crisis, new statistics show. Overdose deaths soared to a record 93,000 last year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States government reported on Wednesday. That estimate far eclipses the high of about 72,000 drug overdose deaths reached the previous year and amounts to a 29 percent increase. …

Drug Overdoses Killed A Record Number Of Americans In 2020, Jumping By Nearly 30%
3 years, 5 months ago

Drug Overdoses Killed A Record Number Of Americans In 2020, Jumping By Nearly 30%

NPR  

Drug Overdoses Killed A Record Number Of Americans In 2020, Jumping By Nearly 30% Enlarge this image toggle caption Kathy Willens/AP Kathy Willens/AP More than 93,000 people died of a drug overdose in the U.S. last year — a record number that reflects a rise of nearly 30% from 2019, according to new data released by the Centers for Disease …

A city wrestled down an addiction crisis. Then came COVID-19
3 years, 9 months ago

A city wrestled down an addiction crisis. Then came COVID-19

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “In the last six months, they’re gone.” As the …

The powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl is behind rising deaths in the homeless population
4 years ago

The powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl is behind rising deaths in the homeless population

LA Times  

A sharp rise in deaths of homeless people starting in the spring of 2020 was driven by drug overdoses involving fentanyl, a report released Thursday by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health concluded. “Despite the relatively smaller direct impact of COVID-19 … the first seven months of 2020 saw an alarming increase in overdose deaths in this population,” …

US deaths in 2020 top 3 million, by far most ever counted
4 years ago

US deaths in 2020 top 3 million, by far most ever counted

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — This is the deadliest year in U.S. history, with deaths expected to top 3 million for the first time — due mainly to the coronavirus pandemic. And life expectancy inched up — by several weeks — for the second straight year, according to death certificate data released Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The …

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