Breanna Reeves
In an effort to raise awareness and educate the public about the dangers of fentanyl, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) launched a statewide campaign called “Facts Fight Fentanyl.”
According to the CDPH, in 2022, there were more than 7,000 overdose deaths related to opioids in California – of those deaths, 87% involved fentanyl. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid and is 100 times stronger than morphine.
Data from the Riverside Overdose Data to Action (RODA) Dashboard shows that between January and April 2024, there were 125 fentanyl overdose deaths in Riverside County. In San Bernardino County, there have been 138 fentanyl overdose deaths in 2024, so far, according to the San Bernardino Opioid Data Analytics and Surveillance for Harm Reduction (ODASH).
“The goal of ‘Facts Fight Fentanyl’ is to ensure Californians know the dangers of fentanyl and how to prevent an overdose with the lifesaving medication naloxone.”
Dr. Tomás J. Aragón, CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer
The “Facts Fight Fentanyl” campaign aims to educate the public about fentanyl, understand how fentanyl is often mixed with other party drugs and how to use naloxone, a treatment used to treat an overdose in an emergency situation.The campaign also includes information about how to spot an overdose and what physical reactions to look for.
“The goal of ‘Facts Fight Fentanyl’ is to ensure Californians know the dangers of fentanyl and how to prevent an overdose with the lifesaving medication naloxone,” said Dr. Tomás J. Aragón, CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer, in a press release.
The campaign website includes facts about using naloxone and addresses the stigma around carrying the life-saving medicine. “Think of it like a first-aid kit,” the website describes. The site also noted that in nearly 40% of overdose deaths in California, an onlooker was present, and that these overdose deaths could have been prevented if those present knew how to help.
“We all want to live in a California free of the harms of fentanyl. When we all have the facts on fentanyl, we can combat this crisis and work together to build safer, healthier communities,” stated Dr. Aragón.
Across the state, local governments have executed their own awareness campaigns and have developed programs that educate the public about using naloxone and even giving the medicine out for free.
Several organizations in the Inland Empire are working toward addressing the opioid crisis through education and harm reduction, like Inland Empire Harm Reduction who provides free naloxone and/or fentanyl test strips upon request when an individual calls or texts their hotline: (951) 446-0983.
The Riverside University Health System – Medical Center (RUHS – MC) established a Naloxone Distribution Program (NDP) that makes naloxone (nasal Narcan) available for free. Any individual can go to the RUHS emergency department located at 26520 Cactus Ave, Moreno Valley, CA 92555, on any day at any hour, and request free, take-home naloxone. No personal information or medical insurance is needed.