72,000 Overdose Deaths in 2017

[image error]Coroners in San Diego County have taken a bold new approach to persuade doctors to curb opioid prescribing. The San Diego County’s chief deputy medical examiner, Dr. Jonathan Lucas, sent letters to physicians about their possible role in the escalating opioid abuse epidemic.

The doctors received a letter stating: “This is a courtesy communication to inform you that your patient (name, date of birth inserted here) died on (date inserted here). Prescription drug overdose was either the primary...