Having worked in homeless services- it is no surprise this report found many workers struggle to afford housing themselves.
How does this perpetuate an already dysfunctional system?
Burnout > High Turnover > Participants fall through the cracks when case workers leave
BUT it’s worth noting tranq (aka xylazine) is not “saturating” the local drug supply as another outlet reported. One positive, 1 death, 8% pos pills in a multistage region & sporadic suspected positives over several years all represent an uptick but not “saturation.”
I only say this because I think it’s really important not to be alarmist about drug-related harms.
Doing so diminishes credibility among the demographics that most need to be aware of the risks.
A few weeks ago, I reported that the LASD crime lab had been finding the flesh eating sedative“tranq” in local drug supplies for at least 4 years - and did not tell anyone.
Now, they have started a pilot program to start documenting its presence. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-05-10/sheriffs-dept-program-to-track-presence-of-flesh-eating-street-drug-in-los-angeles
L.A. County ends COVID-19 emergency - Los Angeles Times
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-03-31/l-a-county-ends-covid-19-emergency
New in Drug & Alcohol Dependence: Hispanic overdose rates in 2015-2020 rose faster than non-Hispanics in 26/30 states:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376871623000972
Proud of my dear friend and co-worker, Ruby Romero. This is her second ever first author research publication!
Want to take a moment to thank and celebrate all of the doctors here on #MedMastodon for this National Doctor's Day 🖤
I have been so lucky to learn from so many doctors in my time as an EMT and throughout my harm reduction journey. Grateful for those who continue to advocate for patients & better healthcare every day.
Keri Blakinger
Buitengebieden
Gregg Gonsalves
Emily Alpert Reyes