San Diego County Officials Want Help In Fighting Opioid Crisis
Dr. Roneet Lev, an emergency department physician at Scripps Mercy Hospital, talks about what's being done to combat the epidemic.
KPBS Public Media:
Opioid-Related Deaths In San Diego County Keep Steady
County health officials say there were 253 opioid-related deaths in San Diego County in 2016, a number that is only slightly higher than the previous year. While abuse statistics are not rising dramatically in our region, there has not been a significant drop in deaths or emergencies over the last five years. (Cabrera and Cavanaugh, 10/27)
KPBS:
Growing Number Of Babies Born Addicted To Opioids
According to recent National Drug Surveys on Drug Use and Health, an annual average of about 21,000 pregnant women aged 15 to 44 misused opioids in the past month. Federal health officials say there's been a corresponding increase in the number of newborns born suffering from opioid withdrawal. (Goldberg, 10/27)
In other news —
Ventura County Star:
Oxnard Doctor Placed On Medical Probation In Opioid Case
An Oxnard doctor was placed on three years of medical probation after allegations including claims of improperly prescribing opioids in 2014, regulators said. Medical Board of California records show Dr. Harvey David Lyons' probation began Oct. 20. The action by the regulatory agency — agreed to by the doctor in a settlement with the Medical Board — allows him to continue practicing but brings mandates including having someone monitor his work and completing certain educational courses. (Kisken, 10/27)