LOS ANGELES — For the first time, California is reporting a decline in overdose deaths tied to synthetic opioids, according to state health data through June 2024. Officials say the drop marks real progress and credit harm reduction programs for playing a critical role.
Los Angeles-native Rebeca Orellana began cooking professionally at 16 — and said the job exposed her early on to drugs and alcohol.
“Cooking for artists and a lot of high-profile clients, you’re kind of surrounded by those substances and alcohol,” she said. “It wasn’t easy for me to stay clean and sober.”…