How has the opioid crisis impacted San Mateo County?
You’ll find out at a discussion with District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe at Angelica’s, 863 Main St. in Redwood City on Tuesday, Oct. 30.
The Rotary Club of Redwood City is hosting the lunch discussion with Wagstaffe, who is the club’s director, from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Guests are welcome to attend the lunch, which costs $20.
In 2017, 97 San Mateo County residents died from drug-related causes, with 11 deaths directly tied to heroin use and another 26 to other opioids, according to recent data. The previous year, 11 deaths were tied to heroin and 16 to other opioids. Nearly 590 county residents sought medical care for their dependency, costing the county millions.
“Health officials estimate that thousands more residents are opioid dependent,” the county said.
In June, the county announced legal action against opioid distributors including San Francisco-based McKesson, Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen, alleging violations of California laws designed to prevent illegal opioid sales and overprescribing. In a statement, County Counsel John Beiers said the county “cannot sit by idly as our community is being harmed by the opioid epidemic – a problem that was knowingly created by the distributors who put profits above people.”
