Fatal overdose outside Gavin Newsom’s office puts drug crisis on grim display

A man has died from a fatal drug overdose in front of the west steps of the California state capitol late Tuesday, authorities confirmed to the California Post.

The incident puts on grim display the state’s drug crisis that has plagued major cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles now in front of the capitol building where the state’s policymakers craft laws.

Video shared on social media show a number of California Highway Patrol officers standing around Sacramento Fire Department EMTs on the green grass in the state capitol park. The capitol building can be seen in the background.

About five fire department workers wearing gloves are attempting CPR on the unidentified person, with medical supplies strewn around on the grass. A bike is nearby with highway patrol equipment on top of it.

The chest compressions went on for about half a hour, according to Jeff Rainforth, who took the video. He said he heard one of the highway patrol officers asking an EMT if they had Narcan, an emergency medication that treats opioid overdoses.

“I asked if I could pray for him and a CHP (officer) said yeah just stay back,” he said. “This is California.”

Justin Sylvia, public information officer for the Sacramento Fire Department, confirmed to the Post that the man seen in the video died and that the incident occurred.

“This is a confirmed medical aid call with a person under CPR. The crew from Engine 1 administered advanced life support efforts to attempt to resuscitate the patient,” Sylvia said.

Sylvia did not respond to specific questions about the incident and the identity of the person. He said he could only provide limited information due to federal health privacy law.

The Post also reached out to the Highway Patrol for more details.

Authorities have been cracking down on the state’s drug epidemic. The feds have been routinely busting up drug users in Los Angeles’ MacArthur Park, the Post has reported, notorious for its drug use.

Meanwhile, San Francisco is second on a list by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for most fatal drug overdoses.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has tried to showcase multiple times that he is taking on the drug crisis seriously through more resources and initiatives.

This past March, Newsom wrote an op-ed blasting President Donald Trump for funding cuts to drug treatment providers.

Newsom has particularly highlighted the creation of a state-owned drug label CalRX that has made naxalone and other drugs cheaper.

“Where Washington retreats, California has stepped up,” Newsom wrote. “Competition arrived, prices dropped and more people could get the medication that makes the difference between a funeral and a second chance.”