Volunteer Laura Kandell
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Committed to Service: Up Close and Personal with Laura Kandell 

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…

presentation in front of a large group
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Community Priorities: Overdose Settlement Funds 

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…

group of teens hanging out

February Newsletter Spotlight – The Youth Lens

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…

Kate Kennedy Scott, program coordinator for OD Free Marin, and Ken Olshansky with the Marin Medical Reserve Corps,
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Larkspur supportive housing hosts health fair

An article from the Marin Independent Journal features Kate Kennedy Scott, program coordinator for OD Free Marin, and Ken Olshansky with the Marin Medical Reserve Corps, at the Episcopal Community Services’ Inaugural Health Fair on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024.024. “Vendors at the fair included the Ritter Center’s Mobile Clinic, Downtown Streets Team, United Way Bay…

wide shot of a pier leading to a bay
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Marin parent set to pedal to Farallones in daughter’s memory

An article in the Oct 3, 2024 edition of the Marin Independent Journal about a Mill Valley mom, Jessica Schiller, who biked to the Farallon Islands to honor her daughter Naomi, who died from fentanyl poisoning in 2022. “We’re always looking for new ways to raise awareness about fentanyl, and Jessica certainly found one,” said…

rows of Narcan in a vending machine
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Marin County adds more naloxone vending machines [Marin IJ]

By Richard Halstead | Marin Independent Journal Marin County is redoubling its efforts to get naloxone into the hands of people who need it to prevent drug overdoses. Over the summer, the county added three new vending machines that supply naloxone kits free of charge, increasing the number of machines in the county to eight….

photo of a woman using a vending machine that dispenses Naloxone
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Free naloxone vending machines added in Marin County (SF Chronicle)

Vending machines that dispense free naloxone, a nasal spray that can reverse the effects of opioid overdoses, have been installed throughout Marin County, public health officials announced Tuesday.  The installation comes ahead of International Overdose Awareness Day on Saturday, and it’s part of the county’s effort to reduce opioid overdoses, the county’s leading cause of…

row of Narcan in a vending machine
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New Naloxone Vending Machines to Combat Overdose Crisis in Marin County

The promotion coincides with International Overdose Awareness Day. Marin County, CA — In a concerted effort to address the ongoing overdose crisis and in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, Marin County Health & Human Services Department, OD Free Marin, and community partners have announced the installation of additional free naloxone vending…