Report Says Racism, Trauma, Covid Affected Opioid Deaths In Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Inquirer covers efforts to combat opioid deaths in Philadelphia, noting new advice that racism, childhood trauma and the pandemic must factor into city Health Department plans. Separately, reports say Seattle police have intervened in fewer mental health calls under a new approach.
Philadelphia Inquirer:
New Report Seeks To Explore Role Of Race And Trauma In Opioid Overdose Deaths In Philadelphia
Racism, childhood trauma, and the COVID-19 pandemic have dramatically affected opioid overdose deaths in Philadelphia, and must be considered as part of the city Health Department’s efforts to curtail rising overdose deaths, according to a new city report. The inaugural OD Stat report summarizes findings of a panel of public health experts who reviewed in depth 22 individual overdose death cases in an effort to identify and address gaps in services. Though a small sample of the 1,214 people who died of an overdose in Philadelphia in 2020, the findings provide valuable insight to the experience of individuals in active addiction. (Gantz, 9/13)
In mental health news from Washington state and Montana —
Crosscut:
Seattle Police Intervening In Fewer Mental Health Calls, Data Show
In the month since new police accountability laws took effect in Washington state, the Seattle Police Department’s approach toward people in mental health crisis has become notably more hands off, according to a Crosscut analysis of publicly available data. The result, say service providers, is that individuals in deep crisis lack access to an imperfect, but essential, safety valve to keep them from hurting themselves or others. Officials with the Seattle Police Department, meanwhile, said the decline reflects uncertainty within the department about what type of force is allowed and what’s not under the state’s new laws. That has led to a reluctance among officers to engage, they said. (Kroman, 9/13)
Montana.edu:
Montana State University, University Of Montana Receive $1.9 Million To Address Mental Health Care Needs In Western Montana
A new four-year, $1.9 million grant will enable a team of collaborators at Montana State University and the University of Montana to continue a program that trains students to better serve individuals with mental health care needs. The grant, from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, will continue funding the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program. Known as BHWET-West, the program is administered by both MSU and UM and focuses on meeting mental health care needs in western Montana, particularly those of children, adolescents and youth. (Cantrell, 9/13)
In other news from Rhode Island, Texas and South Dakota —
The Providence Journal:
RI Closes South Kingstown Pond To Shellfishing After Seven People Sickened
A South Kingstown pond has been closed to shellfishing after seven people got sick from eating raw shellfish. Potters Pond will be closed until further notice, the Rhode Island Department of Health and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management said Saturday. The Health Department has contacted all commercial shellfishermen who harvested from the pond to ensure that shellfish harvested from the area isn’t sold at restaurants and markets. (Perry, 9/13)
Houston Chronicle:
Cleanup On Hazardous San Jacinto Waste Pits Could Finally Start Next Year
A plan is moving ahead for cleaning up the toxic waste buried on a peninsula in the San Jacinto River, marking a step forward in one of the most closely watched federal hazardous waste cleanup efforts in the region. Decades ago, a paper mill dumped its waste along the river east of Houston. Then land sank and the path of the river moved. Some of the waste is now under water, on the north side of the Interstate 10 bridge. Another portion is south of the bridge and still buried on dry land. The material under water is of particular concern because of the potential threats it poses. The waste contains dioxins, which can cause cancer, and furans. It’s covered by a temporary cap, but that cap could be damaged and potentially release the toxic waste into the river. (Foxhall, 9/13)
Keloland.com:
South Dakota’s Medical Cannabis Rules OK’d
“I just want to say, on the whole, the work that the department has done here is exceptional,” Representative Jon Hansen, the panel’s chair, said. “For them to come in and with just a flair of expertise present this rules package in a way that undoubtedly took hours and hours and hours of work and expertise behind the scenes to get to this point, I just really commend the department for their work on this.” Senate Democrat leader Troy Heinert cast the vote against. “As I talk to people across the state they wanted it legalized, taxed and done. I think we’ve made it more difficult than we had to,” he said. He added, “From our side of the aisle, we’re all about freedom.” (Mercer, 9/13)
