News Summary
San Diego County has canceled its multimillion-dollar contract with the Harm Reduction Coalition for naloxone distribution and drug testing services, effective June 30. The reasons for the cancellations are unclear, but concerns regarding financial mismanagement have been raised. The coalition reported a significant distribution of naloxone kits, essential for combating overdose deaths, especially among the homeless. In response to the contract termination, the coalition is seeking alternative funding, while the county assures continued public access to naloxone through other providers.
San Diego County has canceled a multimillion-dollar contract with the Harm Reduction Coalition of San Diego for naloxone distribution, effective June 30. This decision also affects a second contract with the coalition for drug testing services. The exact reasons for these cancellations remain unclear, as public records do not elaborate on any specific issues related to the contracts.
Tara Stamos-Buesig, the CEO of the Harm Reduction Coalition, indicated that there might have been financial mismanagement regarding the naloxone distribution. She reported that discrepancies had been identified and communicated to county officials, and she is cooperating with authorities to examine these concerns. Stamos-Buesig acknowledged that the coalition lacked extensive documentation for naloxone distribution, attributing this shortcoming to the rapid increase in outreach activities. She affirmed that the naloxone distributed was not intended for illegal resale or black market operations.
The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office has confirmed that an investigation into the Harm Reduction Coalition is currently ongoing. Meanwhile, county spokesperson Tim McClain described the decision to terminate the contracts as being made “for convenience” and did not specify any contractual breaches.
Despite these cancellations, the county has reiterated its commitment to ensuring public access to naloxone through other community providers while continuing support for harm reduction initiatives. However, the discontinuation of the contracts has already led to the removal of naloxone vending machines from public lobbies of several jails, including the East Mesa Reentry Facility, George Bailey Detention Facility, Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility, and the Vista Detention Facility. The county is exploring options to potentially provide naloxone vending machines at all county detention facilities in the future.
San Diego County has experienced a decrease in overdose deaths following a period of rising fatalities, particularly among the homeless demographic. Naloxone, known for its life-saving potential, played a significant role in this decline, with the Harm Reduction Coalition reporting the distribution of approximately 100,000 naloxone kits in the last year.
In light of the contract termination, the coalition is actively seeking alternative funding sources to continue offering vital services. The original naloxone distribution contract, signed in 2022, was valued at around $5.1 million, while the drug testing services contract was worth approximately $6.3 million. The recent cancellations have sparked concerns within the community regarding the potential reduction of public access to naloxone and the possible hindrance of ongoing harm reduction efforts.
In response to the opioid crisis, Governor Gavin Newsom has revealed a separate initiative enabling Californians to purchase a generic form of naloxone online for $24, aiming to bolster access to this crucial medication. The recent events surrounding the Harm Reduction Coalition’s contract cancellations highlight the challenges faced by local agencies in combating the opioid epidemic while ensuring financial accountability and transparency in their operations. As the situation develops, stakeholders remain vigilant about the impact of these changes on public health and safety in San Diego County.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Big Changes for Naloxone Pricing: A Win for California Residents!
Additional Resources
- Fox 5 San Diego
- Wikipedia: Naloxone
- San Diego Union Tribune
- Google Search: Opioid Crisis
- CBS 8 San Diego
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Opioid
- NBC San Diego
- Google News: Naloxone
Author: STAFF HERE CORONADO
The Coronado Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HERECoronado.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Coronado, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Coronado Island Film Festival, productions at Lamb’s Players Theatre, community workshops at John D. Spreckels Center, and iconic celebrations at Hotel del Coronado. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Coronado Chamber of Commerce and Visit Coronado, plus leading businesses in hospitality, dining, and tourism that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERESanDiego.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
