Board President Sharon Levine testifies at the hearing of the Senate and Assembly Business and Professions Committees. (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)
Tammy Smick hugs her son Chris, 23, at a rally to draw attention to the role physicians play in prescription drug deaths and to demand greater oversight. The rally was held on the north steps of the Capitol building in Sacramento. Alex Smick, Tammy’s son, died of an overdose. (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)
Katie Hansen, 8, stands next to her mother, Melanie, who holds a picture of Katie’s uncle, Joey Rovero, who died in college of a prescription drug overdose. (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)
Parents, siblings and others rally in Sacramento to draw attention to prescription drug overdoses. (Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times)