Illegal fentanyl is the deadliest drug our country faces, and it can be found in every city, town, and neighborhood. It is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Fentanyl cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted, and is often added to other drugs to make them cheaper, stronger, and more addictive.
National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day is held in August and the county is dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl poisoning and the precautions that can be taken to prevent deaths from fentanyl overdoses.
The county’s comprehensive harm reduction strategy includes distributing life-saving naloxone and fentanyl test strips to anyone who wants them. Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a nasal spray that can quickly reverse an opioid overdose and save lives. There are many locations throughout the county where naloxone is available to the public for free. (map).
From January to December 2023, the county distributed more than 28,000 naloxone kits, nearly 4,000 of them through the 16 naloxone vending machines available throughout the county.
If you or someone you care about is in crisis or needs behavioral health resources or support, please call Access and Crisis Line at (888) 724-7240 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Calls are answered by experienced advisors who offer assistance in over 150 languages.
