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Rising Rate of Meth-Related Deaths Prompts New County Campaign

By Kenny Goldberg / Health Reporter,  Kenny Goldberg / Health Reporter,  KPBS Public Broadcasting
Published July 2, 2007 at 12:50 PM PDT
This story was published more than 16 years ago.

San Diego County has seen 1,000 methamphetamine-related deaths over the past five years. And county officials say more older adults have fallen victim to the drug. KPBS reporter Kenny Goldberg has the

Rising Rate of Meth-Related Deaths Prompts New County Campaign

San Diego County has seen 1,000 methamphetamine-related deaths over the past five years. And county officials say more older adults have fallen victim to the drug. KPBS reporter Kenny Goldberg has the story.

County officials say the percentage of meth-related deaths among younger adults has remained fairly steady over the past five years. But the number of meth-related fatalities among people over fifty has nearly doubled.

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Last year in San Diego County, 41 adults over 50 years of age suffered a meth-related death. That's nearly a quarter of all deaths associated with the drug.

County officials believe older adults may be turning to meth to cope with loneliness. Or, officials believe aging baby boomers may have a more casual attitude towards drugs.

In any case, the county is launching a Get Off Meth campaign. The county will distribute brochures at local emergency rooms that list some of the dangers of meth use, and have information about how to get into treatment.

Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.

Kenny Goldberg
Kenny Goldberg covered health for KPBS, where he reported on a wide range of health-related topics. His radio and television work garnered three Golden Mike awards, Best in Show from the Society of Professional Journalists, and numerous other honors. He has also been awarded fellowships from the New York Times Foundation and the National Press Foundation. In addition to his work for KPBS, Kenny was a frequent contributor to the California Report, heard on public radio stations throughout California. A Seattle native, Kenny graduated from the University of Washington, and began his broadcasting career in the news departments of KOGO and KSDO in San Diego. In his spare time, Kenny loves to practice tai chi, hike, and travel with his wife, Angela.
See stories by Kenny Goldberg
Kenny Goldberg
Kenny Goldberg covered health for KPBS, where he reported on a wide range of health-related topics. His radio and television work garnered three Golden Mike awards, Best in Show from the Society of Professional Journalists, and numerous other honors. He has also been awarded fellowships from the New York Times Foundation and the National Press Foundation. In addition to his work for KPBS, Kenny was a frequent contributor to the California Report, heard on public radio stations throughout California. A Seattle native, Kenny graduated from the University of Washington, and began his broadcasting career in the news departments of KOGO and KSDO in San Diego. In his spare time, Kenny loves to practice tai chi, hike, and travel with his wife, Angela.
See stories by Kenny Goldberg
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