"San Francisco's Drug Crisis: Rising Overdose Deaths, Rogue Safe Injection Sites, and Hope for Recovery"

The number of drug overdose deaths in San Francisco has risen to 473 within the first seven months of 2023, with 71 deaths reported in July alone. The majority of these deaths, 385, were caused by fentanyl, a powerful opioid. Xylazine, a newly-emerging street drug, also contributed to 16 deaths. On average, two people have died every day from drug overdoses in San Francisco this year. The report does not include data from August. International Overdose Awareness Day was recognized on August 31, highlighting the need to address the opioid crisis and the grief experienced by families and friends of overdose victims.