State Assembly’s Fentanyl Committee to hold hearing on Viejas Reservation to address rising fentanyl deaths in tribal communities

August 18, 2023

Press Contact: Nate Allbee - 415.756.0561

*** MEDIA ADVISORY***

State Assembly’s Fentanyl Committee to hold hearing on Viejas Reservation to address rising fentanyl deaths in tribal communities

WHAT: The Fentanyl and Overdose Crisis: Impact on Tribal Communities

WHERE: Viejas Tribal Council, 5000 Willows Road, Alpine, CA 91901

Livestream: https://www.assembly.ca.gov/media/Field2-ingest

WHEN: Friday, August 18, 2023 at 10:00 am

WHO:    Assemblymembers Matt Haney, David Alvarez, Pilar Schiavo, and Jim Patterson

              Chairman Christman from the Viejas Tribal Council

              Kelly Martinez - Sheriff of San Diego County

Vice Chairman Nieto from the Tule River Tribe

               Greg Greenberg - Chief Medical Officer for One Together Solutions

Assemblymember Matt Haney (D–San Francisco) chairs the Fentanyl, Opioid Addiction, and Overdose Prevention select committee and is holding a hearing that will focus on the impact of the fentanyl crisis on the Native American community. According to the CDC, American Indians and Alaska Natives had the highest drug overdose death rates in both 2020 and 2021, with a 33% increase in drug overdose deaths during that time. Tribal leadership, law enforcement, health care practitioners, as well as community members directly affected by the crisis will discuss barriers to treatment and efforts to combat fentanyl deaths.

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