San Francisco, CA

SF Suffers Worst Drug Overdose Death Year on Record

Published

1 year ago

December 14, 2023

SF Suffers Worst Drug Overdose Death Year on Record

San Francisco lost a record number of lives to drug overdoses this year, breaking the city’s previous grim milestone for drug deaths set in 2020.

At least 752 people died of drug overdoses in just the first 11 months of this year, with 57 of those deaths coming in November, according to preliminary data released by the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office Thursday.

The city still has one month of overdose death data left to collect for 2023.

In 2020, the previous record-setting year, 726 people died of drug overdoses in the city. Last year, 649 overdose deaths were recorded in San Francisco—that figure was surpassed in October this year, when the city recorded 692 overdose deaths, according to preliminary data.

In over 80% of overdose deaths this year, fentanyl was listed as a contributing factor in the cause of death, according to city data.

READ MORE: 24 Hours at San Francisco’s Worst Drug Corner: Why the City Struggles To Control Seventh and Market

A man sits at a desk with his hands folded. — Dr. Grant Colfax is the director of health for San Francisco, and his Department of Public Health is in charge of treating people who suffer from drug addiction. | Source: Camille Cohen/The Standard

The city also listed two record-breaking months for overdose deaths: August and January, each suffering more drug deaths than any other month in the city’s history.

The preliminary data found 87 people died of overdoses in August; the number could change as the data is yet to be finalized. In January, 84 people died of overdoses, according to finalized data.

The Chief Medical Examiner’s Office can take months to certify an overdose death before releasing the official data.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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San Francisco, CA

Warriors dance squad presents special Christmas show

Published

38 minutes ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

Warriors dance squad presents special Christmas show – CBS San Francisco

Watch CBS News

Loureen Ayyoub reports on the Golden State Warriors Gold Squad collaborating with dancers from the San Francisco Ballet for a special Christmas performance.

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San Francisco, CA

3 California beaches closed as collapsed pier debris washes ashore

Published

9 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

3 California beaches closed as collapsed pier debris washes ashore

As detritus from the badly damaged Santa Cruz pier washes ashore, California State Parks officials are keeping three beaches closed. “Because of the amount of debris washing up onto the local beaches from the collapsing Santa Cruz municipal wharf,” Twin Lakes State Beach, Seabright State Beach and San Lorenzo Point will be closed until Dec. 30 at 6 a.m., Santa Cruz State Beaches said.

Seacliff State Beach and Rio Del Mar State Beach both reopened on Christmas morning, though visitors should take care: A high-surf warning is in effect along the coast from Thursday morning until Sunday afternoon. The National Weather Service is advising people to stay off piers and jetties.

About 150 feet of the Santa Cruz pier and an entire building housing a restroom broke off into the ocean on Monday amid battering waves. Three people working on the pier plunged into the water, where two needed rescue and a third was able to rescue themselves. Since then, pieces of the wharf have been washing onto local beaches. There is no estimated reopening for the wharf itself. Waves also pulled support piling from the Cayucos Pier about 160 miles south down the Central Coast. The end of the pier was already closed as it incurred damage during stormy conditions in February.

“Please be cautious when near the ocean, as debris from damage north of Capitola is making its way down the coastline,” the Capitola Police Department said. “Several large pilings from the Santa Cruz wharf have found their way to our shores, creating an extreme hazard. Please use caution if you are in the area.”

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