San Francisco's Battle Against Rising Drug Overdose Deaths

San Francisco health officials have expressed concern over the increasing number of drug overdose deaths in the city, with 84 deaths recorded in August, tying with January as the deadliest month for overdoses since 2020. The city is on track to surpass previous years' overdose death rates, potentially reaching close to 850 deaths by the end of the year. To address the crisis, the city plans to launch a live dashboard to track drug use trends and guide policy decisions. Fentanyl use is identified as the primary cause of overdose deaths, but there is also a rise in xylazine (known as 'tranq') use. Health officials urge those struggling with addiction to seek help and access available treatment and services.