🌱 Kids Under Age 5 Overdosing On Fentanyl + Exploitation: Wage Theft

Hey, everybody. It's Wednesday in San Diego and I'm back in your inbox with today's Daily. It's a hot cocoa kind of day (b-r-r-r!), so add some whipped cream to your cocoa, munch on that English muffin, and read on for what's happening in town today:

• Doctors report that kids age 5 and younger are overdosing on fentanyl.
• Some business owners blatantly exploit workers through wage theft — and little is being done to stop it.
• At last! Pacific Surfliner is set to resume weekend service between San Diego and Los Angeles.

But first, today's weather:

Plenty of sun.🌞 High: 66, Low: 47.

Business owners and marketers in San Diego: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

Here are four of the top stories in San Diego today:

1. According to doctors at Rady Children’s Hospital, dozens of children age 5 and younger have been treated for fentanyl overdose — the average age being 2 years old. Now county officials and some law enforcement agencies are joining forces to get free naloxone kits into the hands of the general public. Kits include two doses of naloxone, along with a pamphlet and a QR Code with an instructional video. During an overdose, seconds count — having the kit on hand gives a family the opportunity to save their loved one while calling 911 for help. (NBC San Diego)
2. When employers withhold wages or other benefits from employees, it's considered wage theft. Unfortunately, the practice is widespread here in San Diego County. Though laws are on the books, prosecutions are rare. Workers filed more than 3,000 claims of wage theft in 2022. Those mostly affected are women, people of color and immigrants. Workers can file a claim with the California Department of Industrial Relations. (KPBS)
3. After months of emergency construction, the Pacific Surfliner, which runs between San Diego and Los Angeles, will resume service on weekends, beginning February 4. Weekday passengers still need to travel by shuttle and bus services between Irvine and Oceanside. Work is expected to be complete by the end of March. For train schedules, click here. (ABC 10 News San Diego KGTV)
4. While many Asians celebrated the Year of the Rabbit last weekend, the local Vietnamese community here in Mira Mesa will celebrate the Year of the Cat from Jan. 27-29 during the Tết Festival. The three-day event will feature lion dances, a cultural village, the Miss Vietnam Pageant, Vietnamese food and music, as well as various vendors. An eSports competition will be popular with Asian youths. The event draws more than 30,000 people each year. Click here for MORE INFORMATION. (Patch)

Today in San Diego:

• Storytime — Scripps Miramar Ranch Library Center. (10 a.m.)
• Online Volunteer Orientation — ElderHelp of San Diego. (10 a.m.)
• Sign Language Storytime — North Clairemont Branch Library. (10 a.m.)
• Kamishibai Storytime — Balboa Branch Library. (10 a.m.)
• Chair Fitness — OASIS San Diego (Escondido). (12:30 p.m.)
• Digital Navigator — Logan Heights Branch Library (1 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Humane Society offers vouchers: "San Diego Humane Society believes all families should be able to have their pets spayed or neutered if desired — which is why we’re proud to offer vouchers to help make these services more affordable! Spaying and neutering your pets is one of the most effective ways to prevent unplanned litters and reduce the number of homeless animals entering local shelters" (San Diego Humane Society via Facebook)
• Be a walk volunteer: "We're gearing up for the Walk for Animals on Feb. 25 and we need your help! Sign up to be an event volunteer at sdhumane.org/walkvolunteer and join us for a fun event that saves lives! All animal lovers are welcome to volunteer, and volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. We can't wait to see you there!" (San Diego Humane Society via Facebook)
• Get your free mulch: "🌧️🍃 Rain and wind may cause soil erosion as it moves through residential gardens and landscapes. Compost and mulch help reduce this impact by keeping the soil in place and minimizing evaporation. City residents can get up to two cubic yards of compost or mulch for free at the Miramar Greenery." (City of San Diego via Facebook)
• Calling all train lovers! "A SAPLinGS favorite, the Model Trains in Seeds of Wonder is a must for any train lovers big or small! You can spot many hidden figures hidden throughout the mini town and landscape creating a fun scavenger hunt." (San Diego Botanic Garden via Facebook)
• Instacart offers free service: "Want to donate food but don’t have time to drop it off? Instacart can help! With Community Carts, you can choose items from our wish list and a local driver will deliver everything to our door, with no fees! Get started: https://bit.ly/3..." (Feeding San Diego via Facebook)
• Libraries need funds: "Support your local library 📚 by joining Library Foundation SD in calling on Mayor Todd Gloria and City Council to address deferred maintenance, materials, and other urgent San Diego Public Library needs by becoming a library advocate!" (Library Foundation SD via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Au Pair Childcare USA — (Visit website)
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Events:

• The San Diego Home Improvement Expo. (Jan. 28)
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Announcements:

• Free self-guided, goal-setting worksheet for 2023. (Details)
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You're all caught up for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with your next update!

— Bettyann Pernice

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming San Diego Daily? Contact me at sandiego@patch.com