Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Fentanyl-Laced Pills Could Injure, Kill People En Masse, DEA Warns
San Francisco Chronicle: DEA Warns Of Fentanyl-Related ‘Mass-Overdose Events’ Across U.S.
The Drug Enforcement Administration on Wednesday warned state, local and federal law enforcement officials of a nationwide spike in fentanyl-related “mass-overdose events” in which three or more fentanyl poisonings happen in rapid succession in the same location. Fifty-eight people have overdosed and 29 people have died in recent months in mass-fentanyl overdose incidents, the DEA said in a news release. The overdoses were reported in Wilton Manors, Fla.; Austin, Texas; Cortez, Colo.; Commerce City, Colo.; Omaha, Neb.; St. Louis; and Washington, D.C. (Hernández, 4/6)
ABC7 San Francisco: 'Dark Reality': More People Died From Fentanyl Last Year Than COVID-19 In This Bay Area County
A dark, devastating epidemic is becoming increasingly more deadly in San Francisco. 1,875 people have died from drug overdoses in San Francisco from January 2021 through February 2022, according to records released from the city. "It's very dark but it's the reality," said Jack Terwelp, the program director at Marina Harbor Detox, a substance abuse rehab facility in San Francisco. (Sierra, 4/6)
ABC News: Fentanyl Overdose Survivor Tells Her Story: 'I Was A Lucky One. I Gotta Make It Worth It'
Last September, Ryan Christoff found his then 16-year-old daughter barely breathing in their home near Boulder, Colorado. Little did he know at the time, but his daughter was suffering from an overdose. She had taken a half of a Percocet pill given to her by her then boyfriend not knowing that it was laced with Fentanyl - a synthetic opioid used to treat severe pain and is up to 50 times more powerful than heroin. (Hawkins, Schwartz-Lavares, Pedersen and Cook, 4/6)
Indianapolis Star: Indiana Opioid Settlement: Indianapolis Opts Back In, Could Get $40M
Indianapolis is joining other Indiana cities in opting back in to an estimated $507 million statewide opioid settlement, an agreement made more attractive to cities after the passage of a state law that gives local governments more direct funding and flexibility. The proposed settlement with the three opioid manufacturers Cardinal Health, McKesson and AmerisourceBergen and distributor Johnson and Johnson could provide Indianapolis with an estimated $40.2 million that would be paid out over a number of years, according to city officials and outside legal counsel the city has retained through the Cohen and Malad firm. The payments could begin as early as May. (Pak-Harvey, 4/7)
And in news about marijuana and cannabis use —
Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Medical Marijuana: Madison Latest City To Opt Out In Mississippi
Madison the City became the latest in a handful of communities that have decided to take a pass on allowing certain types of medical marijuana businesses to operate in their jurisdictions. Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins-Butler issued a statement Tuesday night posted on the Madison the City Facebook page that the city had decided to opt out, citing concerns over zoning and the impact on law enforcement and public safety. Butler confirmed her statement via email and said that the vote was unanimous with seven board members voting. (Clark, 4/6)
Billings Gazette: Montana Cannabis Sales Outpacing Projections, Opposition Targets Conservative Counties
Montana's recreational cannabis sales through the first quarter of the market's first year are outpacing projections and it's not even tourism season yet. Montana providers have sold $72.9 million in cannabis products, including both medical and recreational, since the start of 2022, according to figures released Wednesday by the Montana Department of Revenue. Recreational cannabis had its biggest month yet in March with nearly $15.9 million in sales. Medical sales came in at $9.8 million. (Larson, 4/6)
