California Black Media

Commentary: It’s Time to Address the Disproportionate Impact of the Opioid Crisis on Black Californians

The opioid crisis, once perceived as predominantly affecting rural, White communities, disproportionately impacts Black Americans. This is a result of long-standing health equity barriers, documented in both local reports and federal studies. As overdoses continue to rise statewide and fentanyl continues to wreak havoc in our communities, California policymakers must take action.

Published

2 months ago

September 22, 2024

Oakland Post

Le Ondra Clark Harvey, PhD, is the Chief Executive Officer of the California Council of Community Behavioral Health Agencies and Executive Director of the California Access Coalition.

By Dr. Le Ondra Clark Harvey, Special to California Black Media Partners

As overdoses continue to rise statewide and fentanyl continues to wreak havoc in our communities, California policymakers must take action. Slight declines or plateaus are not “wins.” We need proactive, comprehensive solutions that improve education, provide wraparound services, and increased access to proven treatment methods like medication assisted treatment and overdose reversal agents.

As an advocate, psychologist, and mother of two young children, today’s fentanyl crisis is difficult to process. On one hand, I understand how challenging it can be to pass meaningful policies that will save more lives — whether those of individuals injecting drugs on sidewalks or suburban teenagers poisoned by counterfeit pills they bought on Snapchat. These challenges are compounded by critical deficits, such as workforce shortages, minimal treatment beds and facilities, and a lack of culturally competent care, all of which disproportionately affect Black Californians.

I have witnessed the devastating impact of fentanyl on Black families. These deaths shatter families, destabilize communities, and perpetuate cycles of trauma and socio-economic hardship. For Black Californians specifically, grief is compounded by helplessness and frustration, knowing that more could – and should – have been done to prevent these tragedies.

As I sit in numerous health policy workgroups, task forces, and legislative hearings, I hear policymakers request more studies to better understand how vulnerable communities are impacted. This is critical, and it is not enough.

We don’t have time to waste.

Naloxone, a well-known opioid reversal medication, has saved hundreds of thousands of lives. However, as the opioid landscape evolves, so too must our response. California must adopt flexible policies that evolve with the rapidly changing drug landscape. We cannot rely on outdated, product-specific policies when the illicit drug landscape is changing faster than we can blink.

Efforts to do just that at the statewide level have been aggressively rebuffed by the Administration. Last year, Senate Bill 641, authored by Sen. Richard Roth (D-Riverside) would have expanded California’s statewide standing order for naloxone to encompass all FDA-approved opioid reversal agents. It passed out of the Legislature unanimously, yet Governor Newsom vetoed the bill.

Several months after the veto, Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains, (D-Delano), a physician who treats substance use disorder (SUD), led a sign-on letter among her colleagues calling on the California Department of Public Health to update the statewide standing order to no avail.

Fortunately, Los Angeles County has stepped up in the absence of statewide legislation being signed into law.

For decades, Dr. Brian Hurley, Medical Director of the Bureau of Substance Abuse Prevention and Control for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and President of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, has taken a comprehensive approach to addressing substance use disorder.

He has increased access to proven treatment models and implemented innovative initiatives to save lives. His department’s efforts have contributed to the plateau in overdose rates, and we hope to see further improvement through the expanded standing orders for the Los Angeles Unified School District and the LA County Sheriff’s Department, ensuring access to all FDA-approved reversal agents.

The time for action is now. With a united and informed approach, we can turn the tide on the devastating impact of opioid overdoses in Black communities.

About the Author

Dr. Le Ondra Clark Harvey is the Chief Executive Officer of the California Council of Community Behavioral Health Agencies and Executive Director of the California Access Coalition.

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Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024, 2024

Published

3 days ago

November 30, 2024

Oakland Post

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California Black Media

Gov. Newsom Goes to Washington to Advocate for California Priorities

Gov. Gavin Newsom traveled to Washington, D.C., for meetings with senior Biden-Harris Administration officials and members of California’s congressional delegation. During the week, he pushed for increased resources to improve public safety and quality of life in California.

Published

7 days ago

November 26, 2024

Oakland Post

Gov. Newsom visits the White House on Nov. 14. Photo courtesy of Gov.Ca. Gov

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Gov. Gavin Newsom traveled to Washington, D.C., for meetings with senior Biden-Harris Administration officials and members of California’s congressional delegation.

During the week, he pushed for increased resources to improve public safety and quality of life in California.

“California is continuing our work to secure additional tools and resources to improve access to health care, clean air and water, and secure critical funding to support communities recovering from disasters,” said Newsom.

At the White House, Newsom met with President Joe Biden and key officials, advocating for disaster relief funding, healthcare expansion, and environmental protection. He also engaged in discussions with senior Biden-Harris officials, including Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, to address water quality improvements and the San Luis Dam project, which will support water supplies for two million Californians.

“Building on our strong partnership with the Biden-Harris Administration, California is working closely with the White House over the next two months to deliver the critical protections and resources our communities need,” Newsom said.

On Capitol Hill, Newsom met with California Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, along with other Congressional leaders, to emphasize the need to approve pending disaster funding, healthcare programs, and environmental protections. He also previewed California’s upcoming special session to proactively address potential federal challenges when President-elect Donald Trump is sworn into office.

Newsom’s discussions also focused on securing Medicaid waivers from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to enhance behavioral health services and reduce homelessness. The state seeks approval for the BH-CONNECT waiver, which would address behavioral health and homelessness, and the MCO Tax Waiver, which would provide over $20 billion for Medi-Cal to improve healthcare access.

Additionally, California is pushing for Clean Air Act waivers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which are crucial for enforcing air quality regulations. These measures are projected to prevent 11,000 premature deaths and provide $116 billion in health benefits over the next three decades, according to the Governor’s office.

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California Black Media

California to Offer $43.7 Million in Federal Grants to Combat Hate Crimes

Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced that 311 California nonprofit and faith-based organizations, including those representing communities targeted by hate crimes, will receive over $43.7 million in federal funding through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. The funding aims to enhance security measures such as reinforced doors, access control systems, and lighting to protect against hate-based violence.

Published

7 days ago

November 26, 2024

Oakland Post

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

The funding aims to enhance security measures such as reinforced doors, access control systems, and lighting to protect against hate-based violence.

“An attack against any community is an attack against our entire state and our values. We will protect the ability of every Californian to worship, love, and gather safely without fear of hate or violent attacks. California is continuing to safeguard all communities, including those most at risk,” said Newsom.

California receives 10% of the national allocation, the highest of any state. This funding comes in addition to $76 million in state funding for similar security improvements announced in July 2024. In total, California has invested over $230 million since 2015 to safeguard vulnerable communities.

“California is dedicated to helping our communities stay safe from violent hate crimes and get access to essential financial funding to support those efforts,” said Cal Office of Emergency Services (OES) Director Nancy Ward.

The grants are particularly important as hate crimes, especially against Jewish, Muslim, LGBTQ+, and Black communities, have seen an increase. In response, California has also launched initiatives like the CA vs Hate hotline and website, providing a platform for reporting hate incidents anonymously. Newsom’s administration continues to prioritize the safety of all Californians, with ongoing efforts to combat discrimination and hate violence.