From rehabnet.com The opioid epidemic continues to devastate communities across the United States. Provisional data for 2024 released in 2025 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Vital Statistics System predicts a decline in drug overdose deaths compared to previous years. Yet the numbers remain alarmingly high, with about 87,000 overdose deaths recorded between…
Have you ever gone to a Marin pharmacy to pick up a life-saving medication, only to be shamed by the person at the counter, told you shouldn’t still be on that drug, or made to feel like a burden? If you’re taking buprenorphine, suboxone, or another medication for addiction treatment (MAT), this may sound all…
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” This proverb was shared with us by Ann-Marie, our new Public Health Division Director for Community Health and Prevention. As she steps into her role, Ann-Marie emphasizes the importance of partnership, trust, and community in addressing today’s complex public…
“We need to love each other more!” These are the words of advice from Ayana Morgan, a dedicated member of the OD Free Marin Collaborative and Community Coalitions Manager at Marin County Cooperation Team (MCCT). “Love is at the root of change. Family dynamics are cycles, and how we love each other influences the way…
Marin County, California, USA, March 2023 – June 2024 by Haylea Hannah, PhD Thrilled to share our publication on correlations between wastewater levels of SUD treatment medications and naloxone with treatment outcomes and overdoses (co-authors – Lee Ann Prebil, Catherine Condon, Jeffrey DeVido, Fay Zenoff, Kaitlyn Hess Jimenez, and Matthew Willis): https://lnkd.in/g9Z2WKv7 We found weak…
The strength of OD Free Marin lives within the commitment of our committee members. OD Free Marin interviewed Laura Kandell, the Education & Outreach Action Team Co Chair, to hear more from someone who is committed to being of service. From working in healthcare, then transitioning to social services, Laura has exhibited a deep passion…
Launched in December 2024 and running throughout January 2025, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) initiated outreach and educational efforts to invite public feedback on overdose prevention priorities in the community. The insights provided were utilized to inform the proposed allocations of opioid settlement funds presented to the Board of Supervisors last month…
Youth Perspective: Why do Marin teens use? Youth substance use in Marin County is significantly higher than the California state average. According to the California Healthy Kids Survey, nearly twice as many Marin County students reported using one or more substances in the past 30 days compared to students statewide. Rates of alcohol, marijuana, and…
A drug called buprenorphine may be the best tool doctors have to fight the fentanyl crisis. Why hasn’t it been more widely adopted?
PHI’s Bridge saves lives by making it possible for people who use drugs to get treatment at any hospital—whenever and wherever they need it. Today, emergency rooms across the country implementing the Bridge program provide thousands of patients with equitable, accessible evidence-based care. Moises Velasquez-Manoff of The New York Times Magazine spent 18 months observing PHI’s Bridge…