Officials Confirm Death Toll At 12 In Outbreak Of Fentanyl-Related Overdoses
Officials say that as more toxicology reports come back, it is possible the total number of deaths linked to the powerful synthetic drug will climb.
The Sacramento Bee:
Sacramento County Fentanyl-Related Fatalities At 12, Could Grow
The number of fentanyl-related fatalities reported in Sacramento and Yolo counties rose to 12 on Monday after county officials said a previously undetermined death was reclassified as caused by the painkiller. That brings the total number of fentanyl-linked overdoses to 52, attributed to street sales of counterfeit prescription pills, often masquerading as Norco tablets. Of the dozen deaths, 11 were in Sacramento County and one in Yolo County. (Buck, 4/18)
Meanwhile, as the Coachella music festival rages on, an unofficial meet-up group at the event helps those struggling with addiction stay sober —
San Gabriel Valley Tribune:
Coachella 2016: Sobriety Group Helps Former Addicts At Music Festival
At Coachella, some find happiness in the roar of the crowd, at the drop of a beat or in the embrace of a festival fling. Others find it at the bottom of a glass and in the chemical release of a pill. In years past, Erik N. used heroin to try to keep his moments of bliss from slipping away, he said. But this year, it was different. He did Coachella sober. (Henry, 4/18)