First off, I want to thank each and every one of you for taking time out of your night to join our fourth Telephone Town Hall of the year! I know you have plenty on your plate, so I’m thankful to have spent some time chatting about issues that matter to you and your community. 

We discussed the foundation we have worked to lay over the last three years – investing in vital services to support clearing homeless encampments and moving people into shelters; implement the County’s CARE Court to require people with mental health problems to receive treatment; and combat the illegal opioid crisis by increasing fentanyl enforcement, prevention and addiction treatment programs. 

Here’s a few quick facts about what we’re doing to tackle San Diego County’s mental health and addiction crises:

• Secured $120 million from a lawsuit against opioid manufacturers to tackle the opioid and fentanyl crisis.
  
  
• To help stop overdose deaths of opioids, fentanyl we have made more narcan available for free – with 44,000 doses in three years and 12 narcan vending machines countywide

• 77 percent increase in new County mental health and addiction treatment employees
  
  
• Opened three more crisis stabilization units, for a total of six total opened. There’s been a 41 percent increase in people helped by these crisis units than the previous two years, and 87 percent of people treated at these units didn’t need higher level of care – a benefit to our neighbors and a savings to taxpayers.

Safe Bike Riding Helps Reduce Carbon Emissions 

Thanks to all of you who joined my office at Point Loma High School on Wednesday to talk about how riding a bike helps reduce carbon emissions, and learn more from our friends at San Diego Bicycle Coalition on how to do it safely.

I want to give a big shout out to Scripps Health for providing attendees with free helmets, and thank our other co-sponsors: Point Loma Rotary, and Ride the Point.

Stay Cool, San Diego 

Climate Change is really taking a toll on our daily weather. One moment its June Gloom, the next it feels like a San Diego scorcher.  

As the region’s temperature starts to heat up, the County of San Diego has opened its annual Cool Zones program.

Cool Zones provide older adults, people with disabilities, and people with health concerns free, safe air-conditioned shelters to visit to escape extreme heat.

Cool Zone sites include the County’s 33 branch libraries, community centers and other locations across the county.

Go here for a complete list and map of Cool Zone sites, hours, and locations (you type in your address to this map feature to find a location near you!) You can also call 2-1-1 to find a location or to ask for help with free transportation. 

Remember: Extreme heat can be especially dangerous for the elderly and children!  

To learn more about the Cool Zone fan program or to request a free electric fan that’s available for qualifying residents, call 2-1-1 or visit coolzones.org.

In service,

Terra