How Walgreens Fueled San Francisco’s Opioid Epidemic

Walgreens Pharmacy’s Role in San Francisco’s Opioid Crisis

California’s wildfires are well documented for their intensity and devastation, and their ability to make our best efforts seem like, well, a drop in the bucket. Surrounded by a backdrop of orange-tipped needles, the City of San Francisco is battling its own wildfire in human form–the ongoing opioid crisis. Unlike natural disasters, there’s a long trail of smoke–red flag prescriptions and drug overdoses–leading back to multiple points of origin for this man-made crisis. One of those points is Walgreens Pharmacy.

“The neighborhood retailer enjoys a large presence in San Francisco with 50+ stores, almost double their closest competitor, operating over 70 locations at their peak. Quick, convenient, and stocking those household items with a habit of running out at the most urgent and inconvenient times, Walgreens became important and trusted members of their local community. If you’re seeking drug detox near Los Angeles, you can find the support you need at Resurgence Behavioral Health.

Drug manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacy chains alike must abide by the regulations set forth in the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Crucial to preventing the diversion of prescription opioids onto the streets is a robust system for monitoring and reporting for flagging illegal and/or suspicious orders.

“Walgreens’ failure to perform due diligence in monitoring prescription opioid distribution has had severe consequences. Despite repeated violations identified by internal and external audits, the pharmacy chain distributed hundreds of thousands of orders without addressing the concerns raised by employees. This corporate indifference contradicted the gravity of their responsibilities, contributing to the opioid epidemic in San Francisco. City Attorney David Chiu has outlined how this lack of oversight led to failure at the pharmacy level, exacerbating the crisis. If you or a loved one is struggling with opioid addiction, consider seeking professional help. Learn more about our addiction treatment programs at drug rehab facility Riverside. Addressing such issues is crucial in combatting the opioid epidemic and ensuring responsible practices in drug rehab center Los Angeles.

“Red Flag” Prescriptions

Walgreens pharmacists are duty-bound to withhold all suspicious prescriptions until properly investigated and resolved. The flood of illegal scripts combined with a corporate emphasis on the number of transactions and cost-cutting measures made it impossible for them to spend the time needed to follow up on the thousands of suspicious “red flag” prescriptions flooding their locations. For individuals in the Palo Alto area concerned about prescription drug abuse and seeking support, the drug detox near Palo Alto provides resources and assistance for those dealing with substance abuse issues.

They noted people traveling to pharmacies well outside their local area, recognized quantities and dosages inappropriate to the patient’s condition, received prescriptions clearly altered from their original state, and dealt with patients who visited all too frequently with similar orders at our drug detox near Riverside facility. For the small number of red flags they did manage to investigate, details of the violation were recorded on paper forms and placed in filing cabinets located on site. Opioid prescriptions counted toward performance reviews and year-end bonus structures. For those seeking help in addressing the challenges of opioid addiction, the drug rehab facility Palo Alto offers comprehensive care and support in dealing with such complex issues.

Many pharmacists have expressed concerns over their inability to investigate the influx of red flag prescriptions, feeling powerless to effect any meaningful change. This situation, exemplified by the company’s failure in facilitating due diligence, has had dire consequences. As Walgreens pharmacists dispensed hundreds of thousands of pills, their actions substantially contributed to the city’s ongoing opioid epidemic. In the midst of this crisis, the need for diverse and effective treatment options becomes even more evident. Among these, Christian-based alcohol treatment programs offer an alternative path to recovery. These programs combine traditional drug rehab treatment methods with faith-based principles, providing support and guidance rooted in Christian values. For those seeking a holistic approach to overcoming addiction, especially in the wake of such systemic challenges in traditional pharmaceutical practices, Christian-based alcohol treatment can offer a unique blend of spiritual and psychological support, essential for long-term recovery.

The Effects of the Opioid Epidemic in San Francisco 

An increase in opioid addiction, drug-related violence, and overdose deaths doesn’t begin to tell the story of the epidemic in San Francisco. It doesn’t stay in a handful of neighborhoods, isn’t afraid of daylight, and doesn’t just affect the addict or casual user. The opioid crisis in San Francisco is everywhere, hampering the population’s ability to access and enjoy public spaces, and was labeled a public nuisance by City Attorney Chiu. 

Dedicated emergency response teams answer calls of suspected drug overdoses alleviating the burden on the city’s overwhelmed fire departments and hospital emergency rooms. Additional public restrooms and syringe disposal sites prevent dirty needles and human waste from littering parks and sidewalks. Training programs educate the city’s workforce on spotting suspected overdoses and administering harm reduction measures.

Behind every one of these programs is the toll of opioids on city life. In the Tenderloin district, opioid users lay on sidewalks, their drug paraphernalia was strewn around them. Depending on their condition, they are irrational, violent, or unconscious and sitting at their own waste. Some even die there, discovered by city workers during routine tasks. Librarians monitor the stacks and restrooms, hoping the customary silence doesn’t mask another human tragedy. And the needles, the needles are everywhere. They hide in books, bags, in coffee cups, and discarded clothing. They clog toilets and force park closures. 

All of this takes its toll on the people of San Francisco. Some departments employ full-time counselors, helping staff deal with the traumas inflicted by opioid addiction. A warm bath and a good meal aren’t enough to shake off the stress of a day spent in fear of needles and disease, of assessing every stranger’s potential need for harm reduction measures or encountering an overdose death.

Dozens of non-profit organizations offer similar resources, specifically to the general public and highlighting the extent to which the opioid epidemic affects every member of the community.

None of the measures listed here offers a solution. It’s still too early for that. For now, help is needed to keep these and other programs up and running. 

The Walgreens Ruling 

Judge Charles R. Breyer of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California pointed towards a preponderance of evidence spanning decades in finding Walgreens liable for substantially contributing to the opioid epidemic in San Francisco. Corporate policies impeded the individual pharmacist’s ability to perform due diligence on red flag prescriptions. Along with their reluctance to create or implement adequate systems, these failures were exploited by parties wanting unlimited access to prescription opioids. Their actions enabled San Francisco’s opioid crisis to take root and overrun the city. The ruling echoes similar outcomes in Ohio and Florida.

Representatives for Walgreens have signaled their intent to appeal Judge Breyer’s decision.

Resurgence Behavioral Health is a top-rated California addiction treatment center offering effective solutions for opioid addiction. If you or a loved one are struggling with opioids, call Resurgence today to learn how we can help.

Read about how Walgreens fueled San Francisco’s opioid epidemic. #opioidepidemic #sanfrancisco https://t.co/G9IxeaMLF3

— Resurgence Behavioral Health (@RBHRecovery) August 26, 2022

David Rofofsky
After growing up in New York, David chose to get help with substance abuse in California because of the state's reputation for top-tier treatment. There, he found the treatment he needed to achieve more than nine years of recovery. He's been in the drug and alcohol addiction rehab industry for eight years and now serves as the Director of Admissions for Resurgence Behavioral Health. David remains passionate about the field because he understands how hard it is to pick up the phone and ask for help. However, once the call is made, someone's life can be saved.

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