February 27, 2024 — Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the California National Guard (CalGuard) supported counter-drug operations in 2023 that led to the record seizure of 62,224 pounds of fentanyl in California and the state’s ports of entry. Since 2021, fentanyl seizures supported by CalGuard have increased by 1066%.
February 14, 2024 — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced a joint operation in San Diego County resulting in the felony arrest of a suspect and the seizure of 720,000 fentanyl pills.
February 1, 2024 — California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a $350 million national settlement with Publicis Health, LLC, to resolve investigations into the global marketing and communications firm’s role in the prescription opioid crisis. California will receive approximately $31 million from the settlement to help address this crisis. The settlement money is anticipated to be paid in the second quarter of 2024.
February 1, 2024 — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced a multistate agreement in principle on monetary terms, requiring opioid manufacturer Hikma Pharmaceuticals to pay up to $150 million to address its role in the opioid epidemic.
January 26, 2024— California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that the California Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Fentanyl Enforcement Program arrested and filed charges against three drug traffickers alleged to be responsible for bringing 30,000 fentanyl pills across the Mexico and California border. The investigation and arrests were a joint effort of the Fentanyl Enforcement Program and the Inland Crackdown Allied Task Force led by DOJ.
CDPH Warns Californians About the Dangers of XylazineNovember 29, 2023 – With an increase of xylazine in the nation’s illegal drug supply, CDPH is continuing to reach out to Californians to educate the public about xylazine and its potential harms to health. (CDPH)
Governor Newsom Announces New Legislation to Prevent Illicit Use and Trafficking of Xylazine
November 28, 2023 – As part of the state’s multi-pronged plan to address the opioid and overdose epidemic, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced proposed new legislation to increase penalties for the illicit trafficking of the drug xylazine, also known as ”tranq.” Xylazine—an animal tranquilizer with no approved human use—is increasingly being found in the illicit drug supply, and has been linked to rising overdose deaths across the country. (GOV)
California Launches “Empowering Faith Leaders in California Substance Use Prevention and Intervention” Project (PDF)
October 05, 2023 – The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has launched the Empowering Faith Leaders in California project, in partnership with the Clinton Foundation Global Initiative’s Overdose Response Network and is investing in hospital emergency departments to continue to assist Californians in need of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and mental health treatment services. (DHCS)
FIrst Seven Counties in California Launch the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Act
September 29, 2023 – After nearly a year of committed hard work, collaboration and preparation, the first seven counties in California (Glenn, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, Stanislaus, Tuolumne and San Francisco) are set to launch the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Act. The CARE Act will create a new pathway to deliver mental health and substance use disorder services to the most vulnerable Californians. (CALHHS)
California Increases California National Guard Presence at the Border To Crack Down on Fentanyl Smugglers
September 07, 2023 – Building on California’s $1 billion investment to tackle the fentanyl and opioid crisis, Governor Gavin Newsom is increasing the deployment of California National Guard (CalGuard) service members by approximately 50% from 40 to 60 soldiers at the four U.S. ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border to support the interdiction of illicit drugs, including fentanyl. (GOV)
CDPH Launches First Phase of Opioid Prevention and Education Campaign
September 06, 2023 – To help address the opioid overdose crisis, CDPH is launching the first phase of a statewide opioid and fentanyl overdose prevention and education campaign. (CDPH)
California Expands Access to Opioid Treatment in Jails and Drug Courts (PDF)
August 22, 2023 – California, through DHCS, announced it will expand Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) to jails and drug courts. The $2.9 million funding announced today will go to 29 counties to support the development or expansion of access to MAT. (DHCS)
New State Law to Help Save Lives from Opioid and Fentanyl Overdoses on College Campuses
December 22, 2022 – CDPH is bolstering efforts to raise awareness of and prevent opioid use, addiction and potential overdose, as the state works to provide students with greater access to the life-saving drug Naloxone. (CDPH)
State Public Health Leaders Warn School Leaders of New, Brightly-Colored “Rainbow Fentanyl” Trend
September 22, 2022 – CDPH warned school leaders about a new and potentially fatal drug “rainbow fentanyl,” that may interest youth. (CDPH)
