Patients Who Are In ‘Unbearable Pain’ Scared Of Losing Opioids In Midst Of Crisis
"We are overreacting to the need to lower opioid prescribing by punishing patients," says Dr. Kelly Pfeifer.
KPCC:
Is The Crackdown On Opioids Failing Patients?
Many chronic pain patients are middle-aged and older adults, who are among the highest users of prescription opioids. Some have been stranded by well-intentioned policies designed to curb abuse. (Replogle, 5/14)
In other public health news —
KQED:
SF Voters May Ban Menthol Cigarettes, Vape Flavors
San Francisco could become the first city in the nation to ban flavored tobacco products from all store shelves. This includes everything from candy flavored e-cigarettes to conventional menthol smokes. (McClurg, 5/14)
The Mercury News:
Report: Mentally Ill Are In 40 Percent Of Police Shootings
In the most definitive look yet at a growing public-safety problem facing South Bay police today, a new civil grand jury report reveals that nearly 40 percent of officer shootings in Santa Clara County involve someone who is mentally ill. So the watchdog group is urging law enforcement agencies and public health officials to step up training and resources to combat the troublesome trend. (Salonga, 5/11)