Sonoma County, in particular, has faced a significant increase in the number of opioid overdose deaths, with the county now holding the second-highest rate of overdoses in the Bay Area. The Sonoma County Department of Health Services is looking to address this issue head-on by hosting an event this International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31.
This event, featuring food, demonstrations of overdose prevention tools, and a community circle to commemorate lives impacted by substance use, aims to raise awareness about the dangers of overdosing from substances. The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors recently proclaimed August 31 as Overdose Awareness Day, recognizing those who have died and supporting those left behind to grapple with the loss of a loved one to an overdose. With staggering numbers like over 96,700 people dying every year in the U.S. from drug overdoses, seven out of 10 of which involve opioids, we cannot ignore the urgency of addressing this crisis.
Naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal drug also known as Narcan, has proven to be a potentially life-saving tool for those caught in the clutches of addiction. Through demonstrations of this powerful antidote at the event, participants can learn how it can save lives in their community. Strips for testing the presence of the deadly opioid fentanyl in drugs will be on display as well, highlighting a critical need for ensuring drug users are aware of their risks.
Furthermore, the Department of Health Services has been working diligently with community partners to educate the public about the risks of substance use and the potential for overdoses. Specific focus has been placed on the increasing availability of substances like fentanyl, which was involved in 87 percent of opioid overdose deaths in Sonoma County. As the county faces an upward trend in drug overdose deaths since 2016, with more than 1 million people having died from drug overdoses since 1999, continued support from the community is necessary to promote healthy living and reduce the stigma associated with overdoses and substance use.
