It’s Fentanyl Awareness Day: How Stanislaus is calling attention to most deadly drug crisis
State leaders and communities in California observed National Fentanyl Awareness Day on Tuesday with prevention rallies and other events to draw attention to a deadly health threat that’s killing thousands of residents every year.
In southwestern Stanislaus County, Newman is hosting a town hall meeting Tuesday evening, May 9, at Yolo Middle School, 901 Hoyer Road. The keynote speaker is Tony Hoffman, former professional BMX racer and an author on mental health and substance use disorder.
Also speaking will be Jennifer Marsh of Stanislaus County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services and Mike Vivo, the father of a 14-year-old Waterford girl who died from a counterfeit pill containing fentanyl.
The doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the speakers begin at 6. People attending can receive an overdose-reversing Narcan kit and training. Also, appetizers and childcare are available.
More than 25 bills proposed
Democrats, who control the Legislature, said at a news conference Tuesday morning that they’ve introduced more than 25 bills taking different approaches to addressing the crisis.
Assemblyman Matt Haney, D-San Francisco, is chairing a select committee on fentanyl that will hold a May 24 hearing to discuss solutions.
The lawmakers talked about bills for preventing sale of fentanyl to young people and adults on social media platforms. Assembly Bill 461 would make test strips for fentanyl available at California State Universities and community colleges.
Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria said the number of fentanyl deaths skyrocketed in recent years in her district from Merced to Fresno County. She noted that the seizure of 58,000 fentanyl pills in a CHP traffic stop April 27 in Merced County kept the drugs from falling into the hands of young people and adults up and down California.
But the four people arrested in another Merced County traffic stop April 25, netting 104 pounds of methamphetamine and 25 pounds of fentanyl, face much stiffer penalties if convicted of distributing the meth, because of gaps in criminal law regarding fentanyl.
“When speaking about the fentanyl crisis, we must help those who succumb to fentanyl’s allure survive the danger, particularly our young people,” said Assemblyman James Ramos of San Bernardino. “Law enforcement also needs additional tools and resources. … To win the war against fentanyl, the drug must be attacked from all angles.”
What is fentanyl?
Legal fentanyl is a pain medication for patients following surgery. It is 100 times more powerful than morphine.
By now, most people know that criminal drug lords purchase the synthetic opioid from sources in China and press it into counterfeit pills that look like prescription drugs. The fake pills are distributed across the United States and sold to drug users.
California agencies say 5,961 fentanyl overdose deaths occurred in the state in 2021, including at least 224 people ages 15 to 19.
Experts say illegal fentanyl is in methamphetamine and other opioid drugs such as heroin and cocaine. Some experts believe those users become addicted faster.
The Drug Enforcement Administration has called fentanyl the most deadly drug threat the nation has ever encountered.
Signs of overdose
The signs a person is overdosing on fentanyl include confusion, drowsiness or loss of consciousness, slow heartbeat and breathing, low blood pressure, and bluish lips and fingernails.
An overdose can be treated with the reversal medication called Narcan, the brand name for naloxone. Call 911 if a friend or loved one is experiencing these symptoms.
