CA SCR115

Recognizes the opioid epidemic as the worst drug crisis in American history and acknowledges its significant impact on California communities across all socioeconomic backgrounds.

Documents that California leads the nation in overdose deaths, with more than 28,000 people dying from opioid overdoses nationally in 2014 (14,000 involving prescription opioids).

Highlights that rural northern California counties including Humboldt, Shasta, Lake, Lassen, and Plumas have opioid prescription and death rates two to three times higher than the national average, with Humboldt's overdose rate nearly five times the state average.

Notes that prescription opioid sales nearly quadrupled from 1999 to 2014 without a corresponding increase in reported pain, and heroin deaths have increased 67 percent since 2006.

Expresses legislative support for groups and organizations working to combat the opioid epidemic and provide resources, help, and support for individuals facing opioid addiction.