DHCS Launches Life-Saving Initiative: Free Fentanyl Test Strips to Curb Statewide Overdoses

DHCS Launches Life-Saving Initiative: Free Fentanyl Test Strips to Curb Statewide Overdoses

The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) unveiled the rollout of distribution of free, all-in-one fentanyl test strip (FTS) kits, aimed at curbing drug overdoses statewide. As long as funding permits, qualifying organizations eligible for the Naloxone Distribution Project (NDP) can now seek free FTS kits via the online application process. These comprehensive kits…

White House Challenge

White House Challenge

Saving Lives From Overdose America’s overdose crisis impacts all of us. Families in small towns, large cities, Tribal lands, and every community in between are affected, no matter who they are, what they look like, or how much money they make. That’s why President Biden named beating the opioid and overdose crisis a key pillar…

PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY: Local Increase in Fentanyl Overdose Deaths
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PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY: Local Increase in Fentanyl Overdose Deaths

Current Situation Marin County is experiencing a cluster of suspected fentanyl overdose deaths. In five overdose deaths since February 14, preliminary toxicology suggests the victims ingested fentanyl in combination with methamphetamine. There are corresponding increases in these substances in Marin County wastewater and in 911 calls for non-fatal overdose events. People using substances may be…

‘Hey Marin: WTF?’: North Bay county starts new fentanyl awareness campaign to bring attention to growing opioid crisis [Video]
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‘Hey Marin: WTF?’: North Bay county starts new fentanyl awareness campaign to bring attention to growing opioid crisis [Video]

MARIN COUNTY, Calif. (KGO) — A new campaign is targeting the dangers of fentanyl in Marin County. This as President Joe Biden met with Mexico’s president on the last day of APEC to talk about the Fentanyl crisis facing the two countries. In the North Bay, a new eye-catching ad campaign is targeting the dangers…

OD Free Marin collaborates with Song for Charlie to educate parents about preventing youth overdose
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OD Free Marin collaborates with Song for Charlie to educate parents about preventing youth overdose

Marin parent Jessica Schiller, whose daughter Naomi died of an overdose, joined a panel discussion on fentanyl at the Marin County Office of Education (MCOE) which held a screening of the documentary, “Drugs in the Age of Fentanyl.” Marin County community-based prevention coalition, OD Free Marin collaborated on the event with Song for Charlie, a nonprofit…

State Launches “Empowering Faith Leaders in California Substance Use Prevention and Intervention” Project
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State Launches “Empowering Faith Leaders in California Substance Use Prevention and Intervention” Project

SACRAMENTO — The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has launched the Empowering Faith Leaders in California project, in partnership with the Clinton Foundation’s Global Initiative’s Overdose Response Network, and is investing in hospital emergency departments to continue to assist Californians in need of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and mental health treatment services. The…

Inside San Francisco’s ‘poison pipeline’ – ground zero of California’s deadly fentanyl epidemic
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Inside San Francisco’s ‘poison pipeline’ – ground zero of California’s deadly fentanyl epidemic

Rozina Sabur | The Telegraph Rizzy Spoer began using drugs aged 12. Growing up in San Francisco’s Bay Area, she enjoyed experimenting with as many illicit substances as she could. It got to a point, she said, where she was “probably going to die”. In her experience, her story isn’t “uncommon”. Now aged 34, she…

Over-the-counter sales of Narcan to begin this week
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Over-the-counter sales of Narcan to begin this week

By Lindsey Theis The purple pinwheel in Michelle Leopold’s front yard symbolizes overdose awareness. She’s a “tough mother” fighting against fentanyl. Her first-born son Trevor died when he was only 18 years old in his dorm room, after taking what he believed to be an oxycodone pill that was, unbeknownst to him, laced with fentanyl. Leopold…