Addressing the Fentanyl Crisis: What’s Being Done on the Peninsula?

There is no doubt that California is facing a deadly epidemic with fentanyl. In 2021, 5,961 Californians died from fentanyl overdose. That’s more than the estimated 4,258 people who died in auto accidents on California roads and more than double the 2,548 killed in homicides. 1 in 5 youth deaths involved fentanyl that year.

 
These deaths come, in part, from people unknowingly buying another substance that turns out to contain fentanyl. Lack of understanding of this epidemic is contributing to needless overdoses and death. It’s important for people of all ages to understand what fentanyl is and how it affects the body, to learn what our government is doing about it, and to hear from families that have lived through tragedy caused by this nefarious substance. That’s why I am hosting a virtual town hall on “Addressing the Fentanyl Crisis: What’s Being Done on the Peninsula?”
 
I am honored to host these experts in the field of health policy and parent activists on this topic: Dr. Windy McNerney, Ph. D., Director of Biological Science Core Division in the Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC) at the VA Palo Alto, and a Clinical Associate Professor (affiliated) at Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine; Santa Clara County Supervisor Otto Lee; San Mateo County Superintendent Nancy Magee; and parent activists Ed Ternan, President of Song for Charlie, and Liz Walker of the Colin Walker Memorial Foundation.

 

Fentanyl Town Hall

Resource List

August 31, 2023

 

Resources Provided by Speakers

Song for Charlie is a national family-run nonprofit charity dedicated to raising awareness about ‘fentapills’ — fake pills made of fentanyl.

 

The New Drug Talk Connect to Protect is a site that provides education, free tools, and expert advice to help California families connect and stay safe.

 

The Santa Clara County Opioid Overdose Prevention Project (SCCOOPP) is a coalition of healthcare professionals and other volunteers from a variety of backgrounds whose aim is to promote opioid safety throughout our county for all residents. Our coalition is part of a larger network of opioid safety coalitions throughout the state, called the California Opioid Prevention Network.

 

The California Overdose Prevention Network (COPN) is a network for coalitions, organizations, and individuals working at the forefront of the overdose epidemic.

 

Santa Clara County Public Health Harm Reduction Program (HRP). The HRP outreach staff utilize medical mobile units throughout the County to distribute injection and alternatives to injection supplies, opioid overdose prevention supplies, safer sex supplies.  The HRP services include harm reduction health education, HIV, HCV, STD testing and counseling, and referrals to additional services.

 

Palm Avenue Detox is a 20-bed social model detoxification program serving men, women, trans and non-binary Medi-Cal beneficiaries experiencing substance use disorders and co-occurring behavioral health disorders in San Mateo County.

 

Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) clinic locations in Santa Clara County and San Mateo County (for Narcan and fentanyl test strips)

  • South County Clinic, 90 Highland Avenue, Building J,, San Martin, CA, 95054
    Phone: (408)  852-2420; Nursing: (408) 852-2440
  • Alexian Health Clinic, 2101 Alexian Drive, Suits A& B, San Jose, CA,  95116
    Phone: (408) 272-6577; Nursing: (408) 272-6077
  • Central Valley Clinic, 2425 Enborg Lane, San Jose, CA, 95128
    Phone: (408) 885-5400; Nursing:(408) 885-5487
  • One Life Counseling Center, 1303 San Carlos Ave, San Carlos, California
    Phone: (650) 394-5155; Fax:(650) 332-2946; Email:     info@onelifecounselingservices.com

Substance Use Services & Resources

San Mateo County Access Call Center 24/7 for assistance Toll Free: (800) 686-0101

  • A trained professional will ask you questions to help find the right care for you.
  • You will receive a referral to an appropriate substance use treatment and/or mental health provider.
  • Access Call Center staff speak English, Spanish, and Chinese. For other languages, they will assist you through a free telephone interpreter service

 

Santa Clara County Mental Health and Substance Use Hotline: (800) 704-0900

If you need:

  • Referral to mental health or substance use treatment services.
  • General information about BHSD services.
  • To make a grievance or appeal a filing.

 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

  • a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.

Crisis/Suicide Hotline & Text

Find a Behavioral Health Provider/Program

Substance Use Disorders Provider & Program Directory

  • If you need this directory in an alternative communication format such as large font, Braille, or an electronic format, or, if you would like help reading the material, at no cost to you please contact BHRS by calling (800) 388-5189.

 

Websites to visit for additional information: