Though Somewhat Insulated From Opioid Crisis, California Sees Startling Increase In Fentanyl Deaths
The powerful fentanyl is often mixed with other street drugs, and is behind many of the deaths linked to the opioid crisis.
KQED:
California Deaths From Powerful Opioid Fentanyl Triple In 2017
Preliminary numbers show California's overdose deaths from the synthetic opioid fentanyl tripled in 2017, according to the state's Opioid Overdose Surveillance Dashboard. Fentanyl overdoses claimed 746 Californians, according to the Dashboard, an online tool that gathers data from the California Department of Public Health, the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, and the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System. (Klivans, 5/25)
In other news from across the state —
The Associated Press:
San Francisco To Decide Whether To Ban Flavored Tobacco
A major tobacco company is pumping millions of dollars into a campaign to persuade San Francisco voters to reject a ban on selling flavored tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, certain chewing tobaccos and vaping liquids with flavors like cotton candy, mango and cool cucumber. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. has contributed nearly $12 million to the "No on Proposition E" campaign, filling television and radio airwaves and mailboxes with ads urging voters to reject a law supervisors approved last year that is now on the June 5 ballot. (5/28)
Sacramento Bee:
Are Giant Tents The Answer To Sacramento's Homeless Crisis? Observers Aren't So Sure
Mayor Darrell Steinberg, who has made curbing homelessness a centerpiece of his administration, announced earlier this week plans to place pop-up structures resembling giant tents in at least three neighborhoods he has yet to identify. Known as "Sprung" shelters, they would each have beds for as many as 200 clients, as well as paid "navigators" who would help connect people to insurance, health care, social services and ultimately permanent housing. (Hubert, 5/27)
KPBS:
San Diego County Prepares For Mosquito Season By Offering Free Home Inspections
San Diego County health officials say the populations of the invasive Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes — which can carry diseases including Zika, dengue and yellow fever — are increasing. To safeguard your home, county inspectors will come to your property to look for mosquito breeding grounds for free. (Trageser, 5/28)
The Mercury News:
Half Moon Bay Feud Over Future Of Family Farms: Pumpkins To Pot?
In early June, the city will debate an ordinance to allow farmers to grow legal marijuana sprouts in “nurseries” in existing greenhouses. Locals are currently circulating a new petition that calls for a moratorium on all cannabis cultivation and sales, and several ballot measures are headed to November’s election. (Krieger, 5/28)