By KAITLYN HUAMANI and ANDREW DALTON | Associated Press LOS ANGELES — Five people have been charged in connection with Matthew Perry’s death from a ketamine overdose last year, including the actor’s assistant and two doctors. “These defendants took advantage of Mr. Perry’s addiction issues to enrich themselves. They knew what they were doing was … Read more
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan is stepping up his support for expanding treatment resources and more accountability for repeat drug and retail theft offenders by forming a campaign committee with other elected officials from nonpartisan offices to spur the passage of Proposition 36. Mahan announced Wednesday that he is joining forces with Sacramento District Attorney … Read more
You’ve heard the dramatic weight loss stories. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, can help people lose 15 percent of their body weight. Tirzepatide, sold under the brand names Mounjaro and Zepbound, may be even more effective at shedding pounds. Known as GLP-1 agonists, these drugs were originally developed to help control diabetes. … Read more
Ronnie Cohen | KFF Health News (TNS) Raymond Llano carries a plastic bag with everything he owns in one hand, a cup of coffee in the other, and the flattened cardboard box he uses as a bed under his arm as he waits in line for lunch at Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco. At … Read more
Provinces and territories should not stop pushing for drug decriminalization despite the federal government’s rejection of Toronto’s request, one expert says. Guy Felicella, a harm reduction and recovery expert in British Columbia, says all regions in Canada need to persevere with treating substance addictions as a health issue. “I think everybody should be making those … Read more
In an effort to reverse an alarming trend of fentanyl overdose deaths among infants and toddlers, state Sen. Dave Cortese has introduced legislation intended to provide counties with better tools to protect the Golden State’s youngest opioid victims. The San Jose Democrat said his legislation was inspired by ongoing reporting by the Bay Area News … Read more
The sober living home where Christopher Lee Kearns allegedly tried to kill his 8-year-old son with a screwdriver bills itself as a calm, quiet, “working man’s” place. Rent is $175 a week or $700 a month. Folks must have a job or be looking for one. They must attend mandatory house meetings and are encouraged … Read more
An average day for Rosalie Rodriguez can involve organizing a craft activity for 3-year-olds while compiling book recommendations for a picky teen. A parent in a hurry might request a hard-to-find read at the same time a patron in the corner nods off, making Rodriguez wonder whether they’re having a medical emergency she needs to … Read more
Back when we started writing about fraud and abuse and death in California’s private-pay addiction treatment centers in 2017, we had to wait months for copies of inspection reports and violations from state regulators. Now, seven years later, we still have to wait months for those records! Imagine being the parent of a kid in … Read more
If you’ve decided to take a month away from drinking, you’re likely not alone. About 15% of U.S. adults reported they would participate in Dry January last year. The popularity of Dry January and Sober October brings certain advantages: bars are more likely to have a mocktail selection than they were a decade ago, and … Read more