In the first six months of 2020, there were 203 fentanyl-related deaths in San Diego County, with victims ranging in age from 17 to 66. Compared to 152 fentanyl-related deaths recorded in 2019, authorities and recovery professionals see the devastating impact of fentanyl-laced drugs in Southern California. Many people thinking they are taking black market Xanax pills or Ecstasy tablets are taking one of the powerful opioid painkillers ever invented.

San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan raises the alarm, saying, “This alarming uptick demonstrates that dealers continue cutting various illegal drugs with fentanyl, and now more than ever, it’s a recipe for death. The public needs to be aware of the danger of using any controlled substance, even if packaged like a harmless medicinal pill. Higher overdose numbers tell us there’s likely more product on the street in San Diego that may be laced with deadly fentanyl.”

Southern California Ravaged by Fentanyl-Related Deaths

San Diego is not the only major city in Southern California to be ravaged by fentanyl-related deaths. Los Angeles is being affected, and the rise in deaths has been reported on by both the Los Angeles Times and the Los Angeles Daily News. Indeed, fentanyl is the new boogeyman of the illegal drug world because the synthetic opioid is incredibly powerful and in disguise. According to a Los Angeles County Department of Public Health report, fentanyl is the main cause of a spike in deaths in the homeless population.

In “Recent Trends in Mortality Rates and Causes of Death Among People Experiencing Homelessness in Los Angeles County,” the experts conclude, “Despite the relatively smaller direct impact of COVID-19 on PEH <people experiencing homelessness>, the first seven months of 2020 saw an alarming increase in overdose deaths in this population. 273 PEH died of overdoses from January through July of 2020, compared to 205 during those same months in 2019—a 33% increase. This increase was driven largely by the more frequent involvement of fentanyl in overdose deaths among PEH in 2020 compared to the prior year.”

There is no doubt that steps need to be taken to stem the tide of fentanyl-related deaths.

Positive Action Steps to Reduce Fentanyl-Related Deaths

When it comes to stemming the tidal wave of overdoses and death fueled by the fentanyl breakthrough, Tarzana Treatment Centers sees three clear steps that need to be taken. By taking these steps, we are certain that lives can be saved:

1. Provide every first-line responder with multiple doses of the nasal spray version of Naloxone. Thus, people accidentally overdosing are more likely to survive.

1. Raise awareness through celebrity advertising and other campaigns about the dangers. Make the people in danger listen, thus making them aware of the threat.

1. Provide affordable recovery treatment services to those in need. Regardless of financial resources, find a way to make sure that people who ask for help receive real help.

The undeniable truth is that the deadly contamination of fentanyl laced drugs equals a rash of overdoses and death. Countless thousands of people are being deceived by the drug cartels and unwittingly exposed to fentanyl laced drugs’ extreme danger.

Taking a stand to save lives, TTC (Tarzana Treatment Centers) believes it is time to do what we can to stop this senseless loss. If you had the ability to prevent fentanyl laced drugs from killing people in crisis, wouldn’t you? The answer is obvious, and the path is clear.