SAN FRANCISCO — A center for people experiencing methamphetamine-induced psychosis will open in San Francisco to help them get sober in a safe place, the latest effort to address the city's rising drug overdoses and rampant street drug use. The center, believed to be the first in the U.S. specifically...
Californians Aren’t Getting the Mental Health Care They’re Legally Guaranteed. Why Not?
State Sen. Jim Beall is angry. Four times now, he has introduced legislation to better enforce state and federal “parity” laws, which require equal treatment of mental and physical health problems. Four times, that legislation has failed. As he enters his final year in the Legislature, the San Jose Democrat...
To Solve Homelessness, Californians Must Treat Certain Crimes as Cries for Help
Those of us who have watched a friend or family member wrestle with addiction or cope with mental illness recognize that certain acts are a cry for help. For one of my friends, it was getting into a car accident while under the influence, with her young children inside. For...
Bredefeld Says Fresno Is 'Under Siege' by Homeless People
Fresno City Councilman Garry Bredefeld says the community is overwhelmed with chronically homeless people suffering from drug addiction, alcoholism, and mental illness. And he blames laws approved by California voters via propositions 47 and 57, for increasing homelessness and victimizing law-abiding residents throughout the state. Listen to this article: ...
Aerosmith Named MusiCare's 2020 Person of the Year
SANTA MONICA — An organization that helps music professionals who need financial, personal or medical assistance will honor Aerosmith as its 2020 person of the year. MusiCares announced Friday it will recognize the four-time Grammy-winning band for its philanthropic efforts and for its impact on American music over five decades....
Parents: If You Don't Know How to Spot Drug Use, This Town Hall in Clovis Is for You
Too many parents can't spot the signs that their child is using drugs and miss the opportunity to intervene before drug use becomes drug addiction, says Flindt Andersen, founder and president of Parents & Addicts in Need. The nonprofit PAIN is hosting a town hall meeting Wednesday in Clovis to...
Oakland Becomes 2nd US City to Legalize Magic Mushrooms
SAN FRANCISCO — Oakland on Tuesday became the second U.S. city to decriminalize magic mushrooms after a string of speakers testified that psychedelics helped them overcome depression, drug addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The City Council voted unanimously to decriminalize the adult use and possession of magic mushrooms and other...
Study Suggests E-Cigarette Flavorings May Pose Heart Risk
WASHINGTON — E-cigarettes aren't considered as risky as regular cigarettes, but researchers have found a clue that their flavorings may be bad for the heart. Longtime smokers who can't kick the addiction sometimes switch to e-cigarettes, in hopes of avoiding the cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco smoke. But cigarette smoking doesn't...
Anti-Opioid Addiction Drug Maker Charged With Fraud
RICHMOND, Va. — Federal prosecutors say the company that makes a drug meant to curb opioid addiction has been lying for years about the relative safety of its product. Prosecutors in Virginia filed fraud charges Tuesday against British-based Indivior, which makes Suboxone film strips that dissolve under the tongue and...
Holiday Gift: Son of ex-Bulldog Chris Herren Gets Scholarship
BOSTON — Boston College walk-on Chris Herren Jr. thought he was forgotten when coach Jim Christian handed out holiday presents after practice. Then the coach motioned to an assistant for an envelope Thursday. Teammates Cheer Decision It took Herren a few seconds to figure out what was happening, but he...