DATE:
October 11, 2022
11
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
ENHANCING FENTANYL EDUCATION AND STRENGTHENING HARM REDUCTION EFFORTS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
On June 28, 2022, the Board of Supervisors unanimously directed the Chief Administrative Officer to work with the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) Director to develop recommendations and implementation plan to declare illicit fentanyl as a Public Health Crisis. It is important that the Board of Supervisors continue to support efforts to educate and increase awareness against the devastating and harmful impacts of illicit fentanyl especially among young people.
There are several ways the County can deliver a stronger response to stem the illicit fentanyl crisis. These responses include:
* Working with education institutions, officials, and the California State Legislature to require illicit fentanyl awareness education in the classroom for students.
* Increasing Narcan/Naloxone distributions and trainings across the County to parents and student first responders.
* Explore opportunities for additional funding to support on campus drug and alcohol prevention programs.
Accidental overdose deaths caused by illicit fentanyl have reached historic levels across the nation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that over 80,000 overdose deaths caused by fentanyl occurred in 2021 alone. Data from the CDC show that accidental deaths caused by fentanyl is the number one killer of people between the ages of 18 and 45, far exceeding the number of deaths caused by car accidents, COVID, heart disease, and gun violence within this age group.
While fentanyl is the number one killer of people between the ages of 18 and 45, it is worth noting the increasing threat the drug poses to the youth in our community. In 2021, twelve children under the age of 18 died from an accidental illicit fentanyl overdose in San Diego County according to data received from...
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