UPDATE: San Francisco has just recorded its lowest number of monthly overdose deaths since tracking began in 2020, with only 36 overdose deaths reported in October 2023. This significant decline comes as officials push forward with urgent efforts to combat the ongoing opioid crisis in The City.
Preliminary data released by the San Francisco Department of Public Health shows a drop of two deaths from September and one less than the previous low in October 2022. The total overdose deaths for 2023 now stands at 534, a slight decrease from 544 during the same period last year. While this news is seen as a positive sign, Director Daniel Tsai cautions that the numbers can fluctuate and emphasize the tragic reality that an average of over one person per day still succumbs to overdose.
“The low number last month is encouraging, but it is still 534 people that have died here to date,” Tsai stated during a press briefing. He credited the drop to ongoing collaborative efforts to connect individuals with treatment options, both on the streets and in medical settings, highlighting initiatives that reduce barriers to care.
The department’s Bringing Expanded Access to Medications program has been pivotal, allowing for medication prescriptions for opioid-use disorder. This program has expanded its operational hours to 18 hours a day, seven days a week, accessible through various outreach teams and the dedicated helpline at 888-246-3333. Recent months have also seen enhancements to telehealth services and increased availability of treatment beds.
By the end of 2023, officials plan to add 270 new treatment beds, aiming for a total of 415 beds by 2028. This expansion is critical as the city grapples with the ongoing challenges of substance use disorders.
Dr. Marlene Martin, who leads the addiction care team at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, noted the comprehensive approach taken to tackle this crisis. Since its inception in 2019, the team has assisted approximately 16,000 individuals struggling with substance use, focusing on treatment during pivotal moments of hospitalization.
“The addiction care team is an essential part of San Francisco’s addiction treatment continuum,” Dr. Martin emphasized, stressing the importance of meeting individuals at significant junctures when they are ready for change. “We’re committed to a system where people don’t just survive their addiction; they recover and reclaim their lives.”
Around half of patients prescribed longer-lasting buprenorphine, also known as BRIXADI, have chosen to receive follow-up doses. This injectable treatment can be administered weekly or monthly, making it a flexible option for ongoing care. Dr. Hilary Kunins, the director of behavioral health at the department, confirmed that similar success rates have been observed in programs utilizing BRIXADI, with careful tracking underway to measure the effectiveness of keeping people in treatment.
As San Francisco celebrates this milestone in overdose death reduction, the focus remains on sustaining these gains and addressing the underlying issues of addiction. Local authorities continue to call for community support and increased awareness of available resources to fight the opioid crisis.
Stay tuned for further updates as the situation develops.
