Santa Cruz County Opioid crisis

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Fentanyl in Santa Cruz, Part 1: With fentanyl deaths doubling, Coral Street is a ‘hot spot’

Fentanyl in Santa Cruz, Part 1: With fentanyl deaths doubling, Coral Street is a ‘hot spot’

by James Dobbins July 10, 2024July 14, 2024

Fentanyl in Santa Cruz, Part 2: Fentanyl response, redoubling efforts as the crisis escalates

Fentanyl in Santa Cruz, Part 2: Fentanyl response, redoubling efforts as the crisis escalates

by James Dobbins July 11, 2024February 22, 2025

Fentanyl in Santa Cruz, Part 3: Xylazine, an emerging deadly threat

Fentanyl in Santa Cruz, Part 3: Xylazine, an emerging deadly threat

by James Dobbins July 12, 2024July 14, 2024

This new California law will offer college students rehab before discipline for overdosing

by Alina Ta / CalMatters March 20, 2026

Santa Cruz County groups to receive second round of opioid settlement payments

Santa Cruz County groups to receive second round of opioid settlement payments

by Ashley Palma-Jimenez March 16, 2026

Stimulant users are caught in fatal ‘fourth wave’ of opioid epidemic

Stimulant users are caught in fatal ‘fourth wave’ of opioid epidemic

by Lynn Arditi, The Public’s Radio January 3, 2025January 3, 2025

Fewer California workers were dying on the job. Then fentanyl happened

Fewer California workers were dying on the job. Then fentanyl happened

by Jeanne Kuang / CalMatters and Jeremia Kimelman / CalMatters December 11, 2024December 11, 2024

First funds from opioid settlement will go to Santa Cruz County nonprofits

First funds from opioid settlement will go to Santa Cruz County nonprofits

by Max Chun September 30, 2024September 30, 2024

California voters consider tough love for repeat drug offenders with Prop 36

California voters consider tough love for repeat drug offenders with Prop 36

by Don Thompson / KFF Health News September 30, 2024September 30, 2024

Input sought on Santa Cruz County distribution of syringes, Narcan

Input sought on Santa Cruz County distribution of syringes, Narcan

by Lookout Santa Cruz September 27, 2024October 30, 2024

On International Overdose Awareness Day, family and survivors stress fentanyl’s threat to Santa Cruz County

On International Overdose Awareness Day, family and survivors stress fentanyl’s threat to Santa Cruz County

by Max Chun September 3, 2024September 3, 2024

Santa Cruz County fentanyl deaths are down, but public health officials express caution about the trend

Santa Cruz County fentanyl deaths are down, but public health officials express caution about the trend

by Max Chun August 30, 2024October 30, 2024

Departing Sheriff Jim Hart defiant over grand jury criticism and a non-elected successor, says worst of fentanyl crisis yet to come

Departing Sheriff Jim Hart defiant over grand jury criticism and a non-elected successor, says worst of fentanyl crisis yet to come

by Christopher Neely August 16, 2024October 25, 2024

Santa Cruz County warns of uptick in supply of ‘tranq’ fentanyl mix

Santa Cruz County warns of uptick in supply of ‘tranq’ fentanyl mix

by Lookout Santa Cruz August 15, 2024August 15, 2024

Before Santa Cruz infant’s death from possible fentanyl exposure, friends and family expressed worry

Before Santa Cruz infant’s death from possible fentanyl exposure, friends and family expressed worry

by Max Chun August 9, 2024August 20, 2024

‘So tragic’: Santa Cruz toddler’s possible fentanyl overdose death ‘rare’ as cases spike

‘So tragic’: Santa Cruz toddler’s possible fentanyl overdose death ‘rare’ as cases spike

by Max Chun August 2, 2024August 2, 2024

County’s plan for millions in opioid settlement unchanged by Supreme Court decision

County’s plan for millions in opioid settlement unchanged by Supreme Court decision

by Christopher Neely and Max Chun July 3, 2024

‘Fentanyl High’: Student filmmaker explores root causes of teen drug crisis

‘Fentanyl High’: Student filmmaker explores root causes of teen drug crisis

by Max Chun May 2, 2024May 3, 2024

Much of California’s homeless population is stuck in cycles of substance use. These strategies can help

Much of California’s homeless population is stuck in cycles of substance use. These strategies can help

by Kimberly Knopik April 25, 2024August 7, 2024

As $28M in opioid settlement funds begin to flow in, county, city of Santa Cruz working on how to spend it

As $28M in opioid settlement funds begin to flow in, county, city of Santa Cruz working on how to spend it

by Max Chun April 24, 2024May 3, 2024

‘Nobody should be without a home’: Santa Cruz County marks record number of deaths of unhoused residents

‘Nobody should be without a home’: Santa Cruz County marks record number of deaths of unhoused residents

by Max Chun December 22, 2023May 3, 2024

Health, law enforcement officials outline ever-deadlier toll of county’s escalating fentanyl surge

Health, law enforcement officials outline ever-deadlier toll of county’s escalating fentanyl surge

by Max Chun December 15, 2023August 20, 2025

Sacramento court halts local syringe distribution program run by harm reduction coalition

Sacramento court halts local syringe distribution program run by harm reduction coalition

by Max Chun November 22, 2023October 30, 2024

‘Crisis of epidemic proportions’: Families, survivors, workers share personal stories of opioid struggles

‘Crisis of epidemic proportions’: Families, survivors, workers share personal stories of opioid struggles

by Max Chun September 1, 2023May 3, 2024

Santa Cruz County readies to spend millions from opioid settlement funds starting next year

Santa Cruz County readies to spend millions from opioid settlement funds starting next year

by Max Chun August 31, 2023May 3, 2024

How I Got My Job: Case manager Andres Galvan on confronting housing, addiction and mental health crises

How I Got My Job: Case manager Andres Galvan on confronting housing, addiction and mental health crises

by Gabrielle Gillette August 7, 2023May 3, 2024

What’s in illegal drugs? A UCLA team takes testing to the streets to find out

What’s in illegal drugs? A UCLA team takes testing to the streets to find out

by Emily Alpert Reyes July 24, 2023May 3, 2024

New Santa Cruz County health officer Lisa Hernandez on how data can help solve our biggest health challenges

New Santa Cruz County health officer Lisa Hernandez on how data can help solve our biggest health challenges

by Max Chun July 5, 2023May 3, 2024

Santa Cruz County reports first local death linked to potent animal tranquilizer xylazine

Santa Cruz County reports first local death linked to potent animal tranquilizer xylazine

by Hillary Ojeda July 5, 2023May 3, 2024

As Big Pharma opioid settlement cash trickles into county coffers, officials turn to community for input

As Big Pharma opioid settlement cash trickles into county coffers, officials turn to community for input

by Christopher Neely June 19, 2023May 3, 2024

In final public speech, retiring Newel talks opioid, housing crises as major issues facing Santa Cruz County

In final public speech, retiring Newel talks opioid, housing crises as major issues facing Santa Cruz County

by Max Chun June 16, 2023May 3, 2024

We all want to halt fentanyl-related opioids, but Panetta’s vote to criminalize would keep us in same loop of failure

We all want to halt fentanyl-related opioids, but Panetta’s vote to criminalize would keep us in same loop of failure

by Helen Nunberg June 13, 2023May 3, 2024

Opioid overdoses hit their highest rate in more than a year in Santa Cruz County in May

Opioid overdoses hit their highest rate in more than a year in Santa Cruz County in May

by Max Chun June 9, 2023May 3, 2024

California confronts the threat of ‘tranq’ as overdose crisis rages

California confronts the threat of ‘tranq’ as overdose crisis rages

by Brian Rinker June 5, 2023May 3, 2024

Opioid overdose meds will soon be available over the counter in Santa Cruz, but accessibility issues remain

Opioid overdose meds will soon be available over the counter in Santa Cruz, but accessibility issues remain

by Max Chun May 31, 2023May 3, 2024

Three decades, 10,000 babies and one pandemic later, county health officer Gail Newel announces retirement

Three decades, 10,000 babies and one pandemic later, county health officer Gail Newel announces retirement

by Max Chun May 19, 2023May 3, 2024

Loneliness is an epidemic, and the health risks are ‘profound,’ U.S. surgeon general warns

Loneliness is an epidemic, and the health risks are ‘profound,’ U.S. surgeon general warns

by ALEXANDRA E. PETRI May 3, 2023May 3, 2024

SafeRx brings professionals, youth together to distribute Narcan, break down stigma

SafeRx brings professionals, youth together to distribute Narcan, break down stigma

by Max Chun April 28, 2023May 3, 2024

Push continues to get opioid-reversal meds into more hands around Santa Cruz County

Push continues to get opioid-reversal meds into more hands around Santa Cruz County

by Max Chun April 4, 2023May 3, 2024

As fentanyl deaths surge in California, lawmakers kill bills that would punish dealers

As fentanyl deaths surge in California, lawmakers kill bills that would punish dealers

by Hannah Wiley March 29, 2023May 3, 2024

Newsom budget includes naloxone for middle and high schools while largely avoiding cuts

Newsom budget includes naloxone for middle and high schools while largely avoiding cuts

by Howard Blume, Debbie Truong and Teresa Watanabe January 11, 2023May 3, 2024

As fentanyl crisis surges, pilot project aims to get Narcan into Santa Cruz County bars and nightclubs

As fentanyl crisis surges, pilot project aims to get Narcan into Santa Cruz County bars and nightclubs

by Kate Hull December 30, 2022May 3, 2024

‘The world is missing something without him’: Santa Cruz memorializes its unhoused fatalities

by Mark Conley December 22, 2022May 3, 2024

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