The San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved policies and tools to address and combat the increase in fatal overdoses driven by synthetic opioids in the region.
The Behavioral Health Services Department presented several strategies to reduce overdoses and deaths before the vote. In late June, supervisors voted to declare fentanyl a public health Emergency. County Health and Human Services Agency staff told supervisors Tuesday that they will move forward with a four-part strategy to build on the actions the County has already taken to address the problem.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. Pharmaceutical fentanyl was approved for treating severe pain, typically for people suffering from advanced cancer, according to the CDC.
According to data collected by the County’s Medical Examiner Office and the San Diego Association of Governments, those between the ages of 18-45 years old, as well as Black/African American residents, are disproportionately impacted by fentanyl overdose compared to others. Although White residents account for the majority of fentanyl overdose deaths, Black/African American residents experienced the highest mortality rate in 2021, a 1,143% increase from 2017.
Fentanyl has become the leading cause of death among individuals ages 18-45 years old.
Based on preliminary 2021 data from the County of San Diego’s Medical Examiner Office, from 2016 to 2021 the rate of death among San Diego residents due to all drug overdoses increased significantly by 132%, largely driven by the increase in fentanyl overdoses. From 2019 to 2021 alone, there was a 418% increase in the rate of accidental fentanyl overdose deaths. In 2021, opioids accounted for 71% of all drug overdose deaths, with 743 of the 822 opioid deaths involving fentanyl.
The county notes these numbers continue to rise as pending cases are closed.
Along with formally receiving an update on the health emergency, supervisors approved funding for:
- the Health and Human Services Agency/Behavioral Health Services to develop overdose prevention education and public health messaging;
- the Public Safety Group, County Fire and Emergency Medical Services to develop a mapping program that shows the date, time, and location of overdoses; and
- HHSA Public Health Services and Behavioral Health Services to conduct overdose surveillance, investigation, response, evaluation, and administration, and use $4.8 million of American Rescue Plan Act money for fiscal years 2022-23 and 2024-25 to pay for it.
According to information on the board meeting agenda, salary costs will come from an opioid lawsuit settlement or other funding sources, including grants.
Supervisors Fletcher and Joel Anderson earlier this year presented and received support for an Opioid Settlement Framework designed to provide guidance to the County on how to best leverage the settlement funds.
“Our County is moving with great urgency to help San Diegans already addicted to opioids receive care. We are working to educate folks, especially children, about the dangers of fentanyl with the hope they do not become another statistic,” said Supervisor Fletcher. “As the settlement money comes in we are able to move quickly to use those resources because we have a plan. We all are committed to tackling this issue and saving lives.”
