The San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a proposal to enhance fentanyl education and strengthen harm reduction efforts throughout the region.
Supervisors Jim Desmond, Terra Lawson-Remer, and District Attorney Summer Stephan co-authored the proposal. This comes after the Board of Supervisors on June 28, directed the Chief Administrative Officer to work with the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) Director to develop recommendations and an implementation plan to declare illicit fentanyl as a Public Health Crisis.
The proposal also seeks funding to support on-campus drug and alcohol awareness programs.
"Today's board action can be transformational in saving the lives of our children and youth from the deadly threat of illegal fentanyl,'' Stephan said. "Unfortunately, key mandates and funding for drug prevention were removed in our state in 2009. Today brings renewed hope that we can empower our students and parents with the knowledge to prevent fentanyl overdoses."
Accidental overdose deaths caused by illicit fentanyl have reached historical levels across the nation and are the leading killer to people between the ages of 18 and 45. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that over 80,000 overdose deaths caused by fentanyl occurred in 2021 alone.
According to the CDC, fentanyl overdoses far exceed deaths caused by car accidents, COVID-19, heart disease, and gun violence within that age group.
In San Diego county, twelve children under the age of 18 died from accidental illicit fentanyl overdoses in 2021, which more than doubled the death toll from the previous year, according to data from the San Diego County Medical Examiner.
The youngest victim to accidentally overdose on illicit fentanyl was only 13 years old.
Even more children, some as young as four months of age, have ingested illicit fentanyl.
“Fentanyl is a poison, and we need to start treating it like a weapon. One pill can kill,'' Desmond said. “It's time we confront the realities of fentanyl in our communities. It's killing our youth and causing extreme harm to our county. We must address this head-on, by talking to our kids and understanding the risks of illicit fentanyl.''
Currently, the State of California Education Code does not specifically address the dangers of illicit fentanyl. The Federal Elementary and Secondary School Act, Title IV Part A, Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities (SDFSC) was eliminated in 2009, and the mandate for school districts to use prevention curriculum was removed and defunded.
Supervisors note that most prevention activities in San Diego County schools now occur during Red Ribbon Week, celebrated annually each October 23-31. The proposal recommends for parents and students should be trained and have access to Naloxone, a synthetic drug similar to morphine that blocks opiate receptors in the nervous system, in times of emergencies. Survival from an accidental illicit fentanyl overdose is most often attributable to a timely administration of Naloxone.
“We cannot stand by as young people across our county die tragic deaths from fentanyl,'' Lawson-Remer said. “With this vote, the county is advancing best practices in harm reduction and redoubling our commitment to keeping San Diegans safe from dangerous drug overdoses.''
The county’s Chief Administrative Officer is instructed to work with the five members of the Board of Supervisors, the District Attorney, the HHSA Director, and the Sheriff to enhance harm reduction outreach, efforts, and implementation in San Diego County and secure additional units of Naloxone to support this effort.
Another component of educating our youth about the harmful effects of illicit fentanyl is to secure funding to pursue partnerships to maximize impact. The partnerships will secure highly trained and skilled subject matter experts who can work with stakeholders, NGOs, parents, teachers, student associations, and school officials to effectively present evidence-based illicit fentanyl and substance use awareness information.
A report will be presented o the Board of Supervisors after 90 days with associated costs to the proposal.
