Dramatic policy overhaul needed to curb exploding opioid crisis, Stanford researchers say

Pointing to an explosion of opioid overdose deaths during the coronavirus pandemic, Stanford researchers called Wednesday for a series of dramatic changes to how governments and society treat those addicted to the drugs, including the ending of incarceration for possession or use of illicit drugs.

Paramedics tend to opioid-related medical call
Stephen Lam / The Chronicle 2021
Paramedics with the San Francisco Fire Department tend to a patient on a suspected opioid-related medical call in October. Stephen Lam / The Chronicle 2021