Read between the lines of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Monday veto of a controversial bill that would have allowed San Francisco, Oakland and Los Angeles to launch trial supervised drug injection sites in a bid to curb California’s epidemic of fatal overdoses, and you might catch a glimpse of the political tightrope he’s walking. Although the […]
Drugs
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APD Investigating Rash of Possible Overdose Deaths
The Arcata Police Department is investigating the city’s fourth possible overdose death since Wednesday. APD issued a press release at noon today with information about the deaths, saying it was intended “to inform community members of recent deaths in Arcata that could be related to the ingestion of dangerous drugs to include fentanyl.” At 4 […]
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Drug Task Force Reports Seizing 5K Fentanyl Pills
The Humboldt County Drug Task Force reported today making a handful of arrests and seizing more than 5,000 counterfeit Percocet pills containing fentanyl after a weeks-long investigation initiated after multiple fentanyl overdoses were reported in the Hoopa Valley. According to a press release, the investigation started March 5 when a Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputy working […]
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Largest Fentanyl Bust in HCDTF History
The Humboldt County Drug Task Force seized 4 ounces of fentanyl, the largest seizure amount in HCDTF history, earlier this morning after serving a search warrant on a vehicle belonging to Roscoe Reidel of Eureka. According to the release, HCDTF had been investigating Reidel since December for allegedly transporting large quantities of fentanyl from San […]
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HCDTF Confiscate More Than One Pound of Meth
Humboldt County Drug Task Force seized approximately 1.31 pounds of methamphetamine, 1.5 ounces of cocaine and $7,900 after serving a search warrant on two Eureka residents yesterday. According to the release, HCDTF agents had been investigating Miguel Jose SierraHerrera, 25, and his girlfriend Micheal Clair Guyette, 25, before making a traffic stop that led to […]
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HACHR: City’s Claims Being Taken Seriously
The Humboldt Area Center for Harm Reduction says the organization is taking seriously allegations levied by Eureka officials in a memorandum to the state outlining “ongoing concerns” about its operations as the center’s syringe exchange program undergoes a reauthorization process. The California Department of Public Health authorized HACHR to run the harm reduction program for […]
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Drug-Related Deaths on the Rise, say Sheriff, Coroner
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office released a comprehensive report Monday which shows that deaths due to alcohol and other drugs continue to rise. The report, compiled by HCSO public information specialist Samantha Karges and Humboldt County Coroner’s Office legal office assistant Brent Ferguson and reviewed by the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services, examined […]
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City of Eureka Poised to Embrace Needle Exchange, Oust Panhandlers
Brandie Wilson, founder of Humboldt Area Center for Harm Reduction (HACHR), says her organization has saved at least a dozen lives in 2016, thanks to its distribution of Naloxone, an opiate overdose reversal drug. HACHR has been able to give Naloxone to drug users within Humboldt County, along with 2,000 clean needles. Now the Eureka […]
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Local Harm Reduction Team Becomes Authorized Naloxone Distributor
The Humboldt Area Center for Harm Reduction (HACHR) took a step toward helping reduce local overdose and infection rates yesterday, as a physician has agreed to carry a prescription for Naloxone and bulk syringes. HACHR would not disclose the name of the physician, but spokesperson Michelle Ellis said they were lucky to find someone who […]
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Orleans Woman First Road Death of 2016
A 24-year-old woman traveling on State Route 96 yesterday morning was the first road death of 2016. Drugs and alcohol are suspected to be a factor in the collision. Neither the woman nor the 2-year-old also in the car were restrained by seatbelts. The woman died as a result of her injuries; the infant was […]
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MediCal Expansion May Bring Better Addiction Treatment to Humboldt
Drug and alcohol related fatalities comprised 20 percent of all Humboldt County deaths over the last three years, but the number of those seeking help often exceeds the amount of treatment available. A change in the state’s MediCal program may change that, opening up access to treatment for many low-income residents. A key component of the […]
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Overdose Antidote Available Over the Counter…But Not In Humboldt
A life-saving opioid antidote — Naloxone — has been approved for distribution over the counter since April of this year, but not a single pharmacy in Humboldt County is currently offering this option. Naloxone is available as an injection or nasal spray. Also known as Narcan, it can save the life of a person who […]