Method change for treating overdoses in San Francisco

Although the number of deaths from opioid overdoses has begun to decline, the public health crisis continues. In some cities, such as San Francisco, California, there has been a shift toward prioritizing recovery, treatment, and long-term sobriety over the harm reduction model that has been applied for years.

As is well known, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is not only more lethal but has also led to an increase in overdose deaths.

However, the drug crisis in San Francisco must be addressed by focusing on people without stigmatizing them, as pointed out by Laura Guzman, executive director of the National Harm Reduction Coalition.

The CDC noted that overdoses remain the leading cause of death for people aged 18 to 44, so it is important to maintain ongoing efforts to stop these deaths.

Laura Guzmán, Executive Director of the National Harm Reduction Coalition, comments that the diagnosis of substance use disorder is criticized from a moral perspective, but it is a disease and therefore stigmatized.

She comments that it is important to educate ourselves in order to implement public policies that allow us to address this situation.

Laura Guzmán, Executive Director of the National Harm Reduction Coalition, recognizes that overdoses are a result of failed policies, which is why it is important to have an effective strategy to address the crisis of overdose deaths.

Regarding recovery, she says that we must train ourselves to understand and take into account each person’s circumstances.

Finally, Laura Guzmán, Executive Director of the National Coalition for Harm Reduction, explains that people must also be ready to begin the recovery process.

This report is part of the special series “Closing the Gap,” funded in part by The Sierra Health Foundation.