Prescription drug deaths level off in San Diego

José A. Álvarez County of San Diego Communications Office

Prescription drug deaths in San Diego County have leveled off, according to the latest report. The County’s 2016 Prescription Drug Abuse Report Card shows 248 fatalities last year. That is four more than in 2014 and 11 fewer than in 2013.

“Too many people are still dying because of opiates, but I’m happy to see that the increase in prescription drug deaths has slowed,” Supervisor Dave Roberts said at a news conference to release the report card.

In addition to deaths, the report card tracks other indicators of prescription drug abuse in...