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REDLANDS, Calif – Like much of the state, San Bernardino County has been grappling with a devastating surge in opioid-related deaths in recent years. Between 2019 - 2021, the county saw a 181% increase in opioid overdose deaths, according to the state health department.
The vast majority of those deaths can be traced back to fentanyl, a synthetic opioid used medically to treat severe pain, particularly in cancer and surgery patients. It's much more potent than other opioids. It's 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.
Due to its potency, even a tiny amount can be lethal. In some cases, people who believe they are using other drugs may not be aware that the substance is laced with fentanyl.
This has been especially problematic among high school and college-age students. In three years, between 2019 and 2021, fentanyl overdose deaths and poisoning spiked 225% among 15-19-year-olds in San Bernardino County.
All overdose deaths among 15-19-year-olds in the county in 2021 involved fentanyl, according to the latest California Overdose Surveillance Dashboard data. Most overdose deaths of people in their 20s were also due to fentanyl.
The California Department of Public Health tracks opioid overdose deaths by age and location to determine death rates that take into account variance in population and age. The rate of fentanyl-related opioid fatalities in San Bernardino County is 14 per/100k residents based on the more recent data from the state overdose dashboard. For residents in their 20s, the rate is double.
Nationwide, the bulk of teen overdose deaths in 2021 involved fentanyl, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Counterfeit pills, not prescribed by doctors, were involved in nearly a quarter of those deaths. The study also found that most fatalities had no documented history of opioid use.
The widespread availability of illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF), the rise in counterfeit pills that look like prescription drugs but contain IMFs, and the ease of purchasing pills on social media have increased fatal overdose risk among teens and young adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Amid this crisis, a Redlands non-profit organization is taking proactive steps to combat the issue. The Healthy East Valley was founded in Redlands in 2022 by Dr. Robert LaChausse and Jessica Ducsay.
The pair specialize in drug prevention research with over three decades of combined experience in public health education. While working through a federally funded drug prevention project at California Baptist University and California State University, San Bernardino, Duscay said she and LaChausse decided to bring their work closer to home.
The organization focuses on drug prevention education and support for schools and families in Redlands, Highland, Yucaipa, Mentone, Calimesa, and the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians (SMBMI).
Duscay, executive director of the organization, said, "We focus on preventative measures, ensuring schools are well trained and equipped with evidence-based prevention curriculum. We also want to involve parents in prevention initiatives." This includes encouraging parents to be involved with their child(ren) at a young age and learning how to monitor their child(ren)'s behaviors as they get older.
The organization hosts a monthly Drug-Free Coalition meeting, where community members come together to address the opioid crisis. These meetings are attended by community members, representatives from state assembly and congressional offices, public health professionals, and local and state government agencies.
While meetings are usually focused on drug use prevention, this month is centered around what Duscay calls "harm reduction." On Friday, Oct. 20, the Coalition is organizing a training session to recognize and respond to opioid overdoses using Naloxone, also known as Narcan, a life-saving opioid-reversing nasal spray.
Attendees of the training will receive a free box of Narcan for their home or office as part of the ongoing efforts to make this life-saving tool more accessible. Ducsay stated, "Similar to heart defibrillators that are now prominently displayed, a long-term goal of ours is to have Narcan readily available at most businesses and schools in our community for when it's needed. Training outreach will be ongoing."
Owners of local businesses, coffee shops, bars, and restaurants are encouraged to attend. Those struggling with addiction or their family members and friends are also welcome. The event will be held at The Hall behind Theron's Marketplace at 122 Cajon Street on Friday, Oct. 20, from 10am to 11:30am.
The spike in opioid fatalities among young people in San Bernardino County in 2021 spurred action from state legislators. Following the tragic loss of life, two new bills were signed into law to try to prevent future fatal overdoses among high school and college-age students.
A new law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on Oct. 9, 2023 mandates that California Community Colleges and California State Universities stock fentanyl test strips at their campus health centers and provide information on how to use these strips to detect the presence of the deadly drug.
The inclusion of fentanyl test strips in campus health centers is seen as a vital measure to prevent accidental consumption of the lethal substance.
Assemblymember James C. Ramos, a Democrat from San Bernardino, passionately advocated for AB 461, emphasizing that it's aimed at saving student lives and reducing the skyrocketing number of opioid fatalities among young people.
It's not just California. College campuses across the country, from West Virginia to Wisconsin to Texas, are stocking their health departments with Narcon and/or fentanyl test strips to combat the epidemic.
In a parallel move, the California Legislature passed Senate Bill 10, known as Melanie's Law, aimed at preventing fentanyl overdoses in public schools.
The law, named after Melanie Ramos, a 15-year-old who tragically lost her life to a fentanyl overdose, requires educators and school staff to be equipped with the knowledge and tools to respond to opioid overdoses on campus. It is a significant step toward making opioid safety protocols an integral part of school safety plans.
Under Melanie's Law, local education agencies in California are required to incorporate protocols for responding to student opioid overdoses into their mandatory school safety plans.
The legislation also calls for the distribution of informational materials containing awareness and safety advice regarding opioids by the California Department of Education.
The bipartisan legislative was passed with no opposition.
As the region grapples with a surge in opioid-related deaths, initiatives like Naloxone training and fentanyl test strip availability are being seen as crucial steps toward saving lives and preventing further tragedy.
🅿️ Downtown parking update: Redlands City Council approved the purchase of two downtown parking lots at their meeting on Oct. 17. The lots, which total 45 parking spaces, were previously privately owned. This purchase strives to preserve parking in the downtown area and make it more readily available for residents. Read more about the purchase here:
Kathryne Mccann
⭐️ A look at Leadership Redlands: A unique and transformative program aimed at shaping the next generation of community leaders is back for another year. Leadership Redlands, organized by the Redlands Chamber of Commerce, seeks applicants for the 2024 leadership class.
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🌳 Redlands Forum Preview: The upcoming Redlands Forum offers a unique opportunity to explore using urban tree canopy to counter global warming. The Forum, scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 26, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., will explore how to maximize the benefits of urban greenery when it comes to mitigating air pollution and enhancing climate resilience. Read more at the link below:
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🎃 Redlands Halloween events: From a Halloween Extravaganza to an eco-friendly way to dispose of pumpkins, Redlands is ready to make the best of the season. The city will host three free events throughout the week of Halloween. Read more at the link below:
Kathryne Mccann
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