San Francisco rolls out overdose response teams to curb opioid-related deaths

The mayor's office said overdose deaths within the homeless community have doubled in the last year. Some of those who live on the streets near U.N. Plaza said they know getting high can be dangerous, even deadly.

Off-duty Alameda County firefighter saves overdose victim on international flight

As an Alameda County firefighter-paramedic for Alameda County Fire, Eddie Pastora has saved people's lives countless times. But his heroic efforts last Thursday were unlike any he's faced before.

J&J to pay $230M to settle claims it helped fuel opioid crisis

As part of the deal, the drugmaker also agreed to end the manufacturing and distribution of opioids across New York and the rest of the nation.

Petaluma police arrest two local residents with large quantities of fentanyl

Police in Petaluma reported arresting a local man early Thursday and a local woman early Friday who they said were each in possession of enough fentanyl to create thousands of potential deadly doses.

Feds announce largest fentanyl seizure ever in Northern District of California

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California announced Tuesday what it described as the largest federal seizure of fentanyl -- more than 40 pounds -- in the history of the district.

Overdose deaths in San Francisco are at an all-time high

San Francisco Mayor London Breed on Friday announced plans to create a new Street Overdose Response Team to address drug overdoses happening on city streets as overdose deaths linked to fentanyl have reached an all-time high.

California Senate OKs supervised sites for drug users

The state Senate passed a bill on Thursday by just one vote that would allow the programs in Oakland, San Francisco and Los Angeles County.

Singer Demi Lovato reveals 2018 overdose caused brain damage

Demi Lovato’s drug overdose in 2018 resulted in the singer having three strokes and a heart attack, leaving her with physical limitations that still affect her.

Opioid dependency was 'driving force' in deadly Buffalo clinic shooting, search warrant application states

A Wright County Sheriff's deputy investigating Gregory Ulrich, the man charged in the deadly Allina Health clinic shooting, believes Ulrich's dependency on pain medication was the "driving force" in the incident, according to search warrant applications filed in the case.

DOJ sues Walmart over role in America’s opioid crisis

The Justice Department is suing Walmart, alleging the company unlawfully dispensed controlled substances through its pharmacies, helping to fuel the opioid crisis in America, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Overdose deaths far outpace COVID-19 deaths in San Francisco

A record 621 people died of drug overdoses in San Francisco so far this year, a staggering number that far outpaces the 173 deaths from COVID-19 the city has seen thus far.

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma pleads guilty in criminal case

It also admitted paying doctors through a speakers program to induce them to write more prescriptions for its painkillers.

Bay Area lawmaker again pushes for safe injection sites

"It's about meeting people where they are and giving people options to be healthy and move into recovery," Sen. Scott Wiener said. 

San Francisco's opioid crisis exploding amid COVID-19 pandemic

San Francisco's opioid epidemic is being exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic with experts fearing that measures to combat the virus may be inadvertently leading to more fatal overdoses.