Opioid Epidemic May Be Behind ‘Alarming’ Uptick In Calif. Pharmacy Robberies

The head of the California Pharmacists Association added that a move to increase public safety – restricting cough syrup access to reduce abuse of the drug – may also have inadvertently put more pharmacists at risk.

Sacramento Bee: What’s Behind The Spike In Drug Store Robberies?

Over the last two years, pharmacy robberies in California are up 163 percent, according to numbers complied by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration. ...The opioid epidemic has been well documented, with about 33,000 Americans dying in 2015 from an opioid overdose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Fletcher, 12/8)

In other news from across the state —

Los Angeles Times: Philanthropy Officer For Glendale Memorial Health Foundation Receives State Honor

Wayne Herron, chief philanthropy officer for the Glendale Memorial Health Foundation, recently received the Outstanding Leader Award from the Southern California Assn. of Health Care Development. The foundation helps support Dignity Health Glendale Memorial Hospital. Herron has been a professional fundraiser since 1996. Over the course of his career, Herron’s teams have raised over $100 million. (Kellam, 12/8)

Modesto Bee: Should Modesto Allow Marijuana Dispensaries Downtown?

Modesto is considering allowing as many as 10 dispensaries — including up to three in downtown — as it moves to regulate commercial marijuana. The City Council on Tuesday is expected to discuss and approve regulations governing commercial activities, including cultivation, manufacturing, distribution, microbusinesses, testing facilities and dispensaries. (Valine, 12/10)

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