News & Events
Much of our work involves measuring the difference others make. Getting involved and making our own difference is also an important part of who we are as individuals and as an organization.
The dashboard, developed by County Public Health, shows multi-year information on overdose deaths, emergency department visits and hospitalizations and calls to emergency response teams and poison control related to opioids. It also has data on how often naloxone (a life-saving medicine to treat an opioid overdose) was given to patients and demographic details.
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Yesterday CCR, DEA and several community groups hosted the International Overdose Awareness Day flag event in San Diego. Overdose deaths in San Diego County dropped 21 percent in 2024, marking the second year in a row of declining numbers. The fall in the number of fatalities is hopeful news, but overdose deaths remain high, more than double the number in 2015.
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This year on August 21, San Diego will place flags on the County building lawn to represent the lives lost to overdose. The good news, we have fewer overdoses in the County as well as Nationally. There will be a resources fair with several local community groups with tables. A media event will take place at 9am. The actual day for International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is August 31. For more information or to host a table, go to contactus.
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I wanted to let you know that I have accepted an incredible opportunity to rejoin the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), where I will lead public health efforts in shaping national drug policy. This is a true full-circle moment, and I carry with me all that we’ve built together in San Diego. It has been an honor to be part of the prevention community for many years.
I am deeply proud of the incredible collaboration among San Diego’s leaders, providers, and community members, who consistently partner across sectors to make our region a safer, healthier, and more connected community.
Together, we’ve made meaningful strides—including teaching the public about drug interactions with THC and CBD, educating young people, and promoting measures to safeguard public health. Your work is very important and please know that I will continue to share San Diego’s successes on the national stage—and I look forward to staying connected and continuing our collaboration in this next chapter.
With sincere gratitude,
Roneet
Roneet Lev, MD
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The new HIDTA California Marijuana Impact Report is here. The report will be highlighted in a community briefing that will focus on the rising impact of marijuana on public health, including youth mental health, and its potential links to suicide. The data will show trends in cannabis-related hospitalizations, addiction, and psychosis—particularly among youth—this event aims to raise awareness and advocate for urgent prevention efforts.
Data highlights from the report:
In 2022, 43% of suicides among individuals 25 and under in San Diego County involved THC.
Emergency visits due to marijuana rose by 521% in California from 2008 to 2022.
Youth aged 12–17 accounted for nearly 38% of marijuana treatment admissions in 2023.
High-potency cannabis is increasingly linked to psychosis and cannabis use disorder.
CCR and CPHI offered technical assistance and media support for this event.
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