Unintentional fentanyl deaths increased by 64% and prescription drug deaths rose nearly 12%

For nearly a year, we’ve all heard the mantra to prevent COVID-19:  Wear a Mask, Social Distance and Wash Your Hands.

The North Coastal Prevention Coalition (NCPC) wants everyone to understand the mantra to prevent Substance Use Disorder (SUD) – Delay Any Use (age 21 or longer), Avoid Illicit Drugs, Intervene Early, Carry Naloxone if you or someone you know uses drugs.

The increase in overdose deaths is being fueled by fentanyl – an extremely powerful synthetic opioid that has been found laced in illicit drugs including pills, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana and even vaping products – and often consumed without the user’s knowledge.

Parents, siblings, friends and partners are losing people they love to unexpected overdose death – 645 people in 2019.

Dr. Roneet Lev, an Emergency Department physician with Scripps, and advocate on several County Task Forces, shared this critical message at a press conference in November 2020.  NCPC encourages you to share this 48 second video with everyone you know.

To learn more about San Diego County’s Prescription Drug Abuse Task Force, visit: https://www.sandiegorxabusetaskforce.org/

For more information about Dr. Lev, and how to obtain Naloxone, visit: https://hightruths.com/free-naloxone-prescription/.

To learn more about preventing substance use and how to get involved in the north coastal region, visit: https://northcoastalpreventioncoalition.org/

About the North Coastal Prevention Coalition

The North Coastal Prevention Coalition aims to reduce the harm of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and other drugs in the cities of Carlsbad, Oceanside and Vista through community action, education, support and collaboration. Funded in part by the County of San Diego, HHSA, Behavioral Health Services, with a contract to Vista Community Clinic. Visit www.northcoastalpreventioncoalition.org