MPI NEWS
DUI-related fatality crashes are spiking across San Diego County at a record-setting pace, officials said Tuesday, with this year's total marking the most fatal DUIs in two decades.
Local prosecutors and law enforcement officials said 35 people have died in DUI crashes this year, already eclipsing last year's total. In 2020, 33 people were killed, which was the worst such year in San Diego County going back more than two decades, despite fewer drivers on local roadways due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The county typically averages around 15 to 20 DUI fatalities annually.
The DA said more than half of DUI drivers this year have had a combination of alcohol and another substance in their system. Among those cases, 30 percent involved cannabis.’
Hosted by San Diego and Imperial County HIDTA. This free virtual webinar will feature Dr. Roneet Lev and Joe Eberstein. They will be discussing the impacts the retail marijuana market is having on public health and how that effects children.
Each time you pick up a prescription, your pharmacist might ask if you have any questions about how to take your medication or advise you about which other prescriptions might cause a dangerous interaction. Now, several local pharmacists, including Dr. Seung Oh, the pharmacy supervisor at Sharp Rees-Stealy Santee Medical Center, want you to also be cautioned that your medications could lead to potentially harmful reactions when combined with using marijuana, also known as cannabis.
Anytime you take more than one medication, or even mix it with certain foods, beverages, or over-the-counter medicines, you are at risk of a drug interaction. Most drug interactions are not serious, but because a few are, it is important to understand the possible outcome before you take your medications.Resources like Drugs.com can help you check for drug interactions. By clicking the link below you can enter the prescription medicine and check for medication interactions, specifically interactions that involve THC, CBD and cannabis.
San Diego, CA – Marijuana and prescription drug interactions are increasing. In response, seventeen local pharmacies are taking the lead in a project to provide much-needed consumer information about marijuana, THC, CBD and interactions with prescription medications. Lack of knowledge and misinformation can lead to hospital visits. With this project, up to 12,000 people will receive information about drug interactions and cannabis products. This project is one step in developing campaigns that increase knowledge and awareness around this issue.
What: News conference to introduce the Cannabis Drug Information Cards and Evaluation Project
Why: Consumer protections for marijuana are lacking, leading to increasing hospital visits.
When: Thursday, September 9, 2021 @ 10am
Who:
Dr. Roneet Lev, Emergency Addiction Physician/Chief Medical Officer Center for Community Research
Dr. Seung Oh, Pharmacy Supervisor, Sharp Rees-Stealy Santee
Dr. Nirma Patel, Dir. Pharmacy Services, Scripps Ambulatory Services
Aram Penaranda, Pharm D., Pharmacy Dir. Allen's Pharmacy
Joe Eberstein, S.D. County Marijuana Initiative, Center for Community Research
Click link for recording of Facebook Livestream of event on PDATF page.