Fentanyl is responsible for nearly 20 deaths per day in California, prompting state health officials to invest millions in combating the opioid crisis
Questions have arisen among state lawmakers regarding the $40 million allocated to an advertising firm based in Sacramento for awareness campaigns
The bipartisan bills aimed at addressing the fentanyl crisis faced funding concerns, contributing to their collapse
In 2022, fentanyl claimed the lives of a record-breaking 6,095 Californians, devastating numerous families
The "Choose Change California" campaign, initiated in 2019, has reached over 4.2 billion impressions across various media, targeting diverse communities
Some individuals on the front lines of the epidemic, like Twan Lewis in Oakland, claim they never encountered these ads
State lawmakers expressed surprise at the campaign's existence and the hefty price tag attached to it, with $30 million added to the initial $10 million
Some legislators argue that investing in life-saving treatments like Narcan is more cost-effective than funding a media campaign
Critics point out that the campaign's outreach may not effectively reach the unhoused population affected by fentanyl addiction