The Jefferson Exchange

California Works To Check Opioid Abuse

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Close to 2,000 people die each year in California from causes related to opioid drug abuse.

Many of them are in the rural northern counties.

The state Department of Public Health is well aware of the disturbing trends, and working to curb them. CDPH Director Dr. Karen Smith visits with details of the efforts now underway, and the results they are showing.

The Jefferson Exchange opioids

Geoffrey Riley

Geoffrey Riley is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism and has hosted the Jefferson Exchange on JPR since 2009. He's been a broadcaster in the Rogue Valley for more than 35 years, working in both television and radio.

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April Ehrlich

April Ehrlich is JPR content partner at Oregon Public Broadcasting. Prior to joining OPB, she was a regional reporter at Jefferson Public Radio where she won a National Edward R. Murrow Award.

See stories by April Ehrlich