SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) – San Francisco’s efforts to curb the rise in overdose deaths have to this point not taken maintain. The truth is, information launched by the town Monday reveals San Francisco is on tempo for a document variety of overdose deaths to this point in 2023.
Regardless of San Francisco’s efforts to reverse the development, overdose deaths proceed to climb. In July, there have been 74 overdose deaths, in August that quantity climbed to 84.
“It’s a tragedy that’s unfolding every single day. We had almost three deaths a day in August in San Francisco resulting from overdoses, a minimum of 80% of which primarily based on prior information we all know are resulting from fentanyl,” stated SF Public Well being Director Grant Colfax.
Colfax says regardless of the sense of hopelessness and despair, these addicted and their household and pals should know there’s a method out.
“The important thing issues we wish individuals to know is that restoration is feasible, therapy is out there from various websites throughout the town, that we’ve got evidence-based remedies and that we’re doing all the things we will to forestall extra overdose deaths,” he stated.
Well being officers say they’ve already expanded outreach in addition to companies and therapy packages. Now, they’ve launched an overdose dashboard that won’t solely observe overdose deaths within the metropolis however overdose 911 calls and substance use companies, akin to what medicines are getting used to deal with dependancy.
“This yr, we’ve got handed out greater than 73,000 Naloxone doses,” stated SF Director of Behavioral Well being Hillary Kunins. “This life-saving remedy is being routinely distributed in high-risk settings the place individuals are weak to overdose together with throughout our road care outreach, and in our outreach to encampments within the metropolis, within the foyer of our jail, in therapy facilities, and in everlasting supportive housing.”
Metropolis officers say the overdose developments recognized within the dashboard will assist information the town’s response to the disaster because it pertains to increasing companies and contemplating new methods.
