Report Says Opioid-Related Racism, Trauma and Deaths Affected by Covid in Philadelphia

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The Philadelphia Inquirer covers efforts to tackle opioid deaths in Philadelphia, noting new advice that racism, childhood trauma and the pandemic need to be factored into city health department plans. Separately, reports say Seattle police have responded to fewer mental health calls as part of a new approach.

Philadelphia Inquirer: New report seeks to explore role of race and trauma in opioid overdose deaths in Philadelphia Racism, childhood trauma and the COVID-19 pandemic have significantly affected opioid overdose deaths in Philadelphia and should be seen as part of the city’s health services efforts to reduce the increase in overdose deaths, according to a new city report. The first OD Stat report summarizes the findings of a group of public health experts who took an in-depth look at 22 individual cases of overdose death with the aim of identifying and filling gaps in services. While this is a small sample of the 1,214 people who overdosed in Philadelphia in 2020, the results provide valuable insight into the experience of people with active drug addiction. (Gantz, 13/9)

In the Washington State and Montana Mental Health News

Crosscut: Seattle Police Respond to Fewer Mental Health Appeals, Data Show In the month after new police liability laws came into effect in Washington state, the he Seattle Police Department’s approach to people with mental health crises has gotten significantly more out of hand, according to a Crosscut analysis of publicly available data. The result, according to service providers, is that people in deep crisis do not have access to an imperfect, but essential, safety valve to prevent them from hurting themselves or others. Seattle Police Department officials, meanwhile, said the drop reflects uncertainty within the department about what type of force is allowed and what is not under new state laws. This led to a reluctance on the part of officers to engage, they said. (Kroman, 9/13)

Montana.edu: Montana State University and University of Montana Receive $ 1.9 Million to Address Mental Health Care Needs in Western Montana $ 1.9 Million New Grant over four years will allow a team of collaborators from Montana State University and the University of Montana to pursue a program that trains students to better serve people with mental health care needs. The grant, from the US Health Resources and Services Administration, will continue to fund the behavioral health workforce education and training program. Known as BHWET-West, the program is administered by both MSU and UM and focuses on meeting the mental health care needs in western Montana, particularly those of children, adolescents and youth. (Cantrell, 9/13)

In other news from Rhode Island, Texas and South Dakota

The Providence Journal: RI is closing the South Kingstown Pond to shellfish fishing after seven people fell ill, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management said on Saturday. The Department of Health has contacted all commercial shellfish harvesters who have fished in the pond to ensure shellfish harvested in the area are not sold in restaurants and markets. (Perry, 9/13)

Houston Chronicle: San Jacinto’s hazardous waste pit cleanup could finally begin cleanup efforts in the area next year. Decades ago, a paper mill dumped its waste along the river east of Houston. Then the earth sank and the path of the river shifted. Some of the trash is now underwater, on the north side of the Interstate 10 bridge. Another part is south of the bridge and still buried on dry land. Material underwater is of particular concern because of the potential threats it poses. The waste contains dioxins, which can cause cancer, and furans. It is covered with a temporary cap, but this cap could be damaged and potentially release toxic waste into the river. (Foxhall, 9/13)

Keloland.com: South Dakota Medical Cannabis Rules OKd I just want to say, overall, that the work the department has done here is exceptional, said Rep. Jon Hansen, the panel chair. For them to come in and with just a flair of expertise present this set of rules in a way that has undoubtedly taken hours and hours and hours of behind-the-scenes work and expertise to get to this point. , I really commend the department for their work on this. Democratic Senate Leader Troy Heinert voted against. As I speak to people across the state they wanted this to be legalized, taxed, and done. I think we made it harder than we needed to, he said. He added: On our side of the aisle, it was all about freedom. (Mercer, 9/13)

This is part of the KHN Morning Briefing, a summary of coverage of health policies by major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.

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