The Alameda-Contra Costa Medical Association and Placer-Nevada County Medical Society have both been awarded $60,000 by the California Healthcare Foundation of Oakland to launch countywide collaborative programs to tackle prescription painkiller overuse.

The epidemic of prescription opioid overuse and overdose has led to the deaths of over 7,400 Californians in five years, also resulting in high medical and societal costs. The foundation is working with partners across the state to drive down prescription opioid-related deaths by 30 percent over three years.

The foundation is supporting 10 regional coalitions over 18 months to identify and implement collective actions to reduce opioid overuse.

Read more about the grant here.