This is the story of Bob and his experience with overcoming substance use disorder.

The CDPH Substance and Addiction Prevention Branch (SAPB) has recently updated its new data resource - Preliminary Monthly Fatal Drug-Related Overdose Counts for April 2021 - March 2022. This preliminary statewide monthly count data is presented by substance and posted on the Overdose Prevention Initiative (OPI) Data webpage. It is intended to provide death data to our partners more quickly. These counts may not represent all overdose-related deaths that occurred during the corresponding period. Subsequent versions of this data resource will also be available on the OPI Data webpage. The CDPH team continues to update the California Overdose Surveillance Dashboard with death data.

The California Emergency Medical Services Authority (CEMSA) has implemented ODMap statewide. Since 2020, CEMSA has logged over 145,000 non-fatal overdoses and over 12,000 fatal overdoses into ODMap, which provides a heavy source of data to go off of for future reference. A reminder that this is just one agency logging overdoses and does not reflect the entire state and other agencies who are not part of CEMSA and are continually logging overdoses onto ODMap every day. There is still a push for full statewide ODMap implementation with other agencies, but this is a step in the right direction.

California Harm Reduction Initiative (CHRI), funded by the California Department of Public Health and led by National Harm Reduction Coalition includes a Point In Time (PIT) survey as a part of its evaluation. All 37 syringe services program grantees collect information from participants twice a year, and this highlights a lot of important things about participants experiences with overdose, drug use and access to services.

Founded in 2016, this international group provides is combatting the drug death crisis by empowering organizations and the general public with simple, cost-effective drug testing methods.

DanceSafe is a nonprofit that provides drug checking and is founded on social justice principles. They are known for testing users drugs at festivals and events and have additional programs ranging from drug education to consent deep-dives to political advocacy to sexual health. You can visit their site to learn more about their efforts or purchase drug testing products via their shop.

BTNX Inc. is a biotechnology company that specializes in rapid, point-of-care diagnostics. BTNX is the manufacturer of fentanyl testing strips which can be purchased directly from this manufacturer.

California Department of Public Health has a Harm Reduction and Syringe Access Division, focused on serving people who inject drugs. California law supports public health efforts to expand access to sterile syringes through both syringe exchange programs (SEPs, also known as syringe services programs) and nonprescription syringe sale in pharmacies.

CDPH has issued a statewide standing order to help reduce morbidity and mortality associated with opioid overdose by facilitating the distribution and administration of Naloxone Hydrochloride (Naloxone) in California.

In the U.S., drug overdose deaths have increased substantially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Synthetic opioids are implicated as the primary drivers of this increase. Naloxone is recommended for use and distribution by health professionals and laypersons to address this crisis. Given the relative potency of many synthetic opioids, it has been theorized that higher doses of naloxone may be required to effectively reverse overdoses. This study tests that theory and provides recommendations related to naloxone prescriptions.

This video explains the importance of forming alliances on both a local and national level, and how this can contribute to better services and outcomes long-term.

Drug overdose deaths increased approximately 30% from 2019 to 2020 in the United States. Examining rates by demographic and social determinants of health characteristics can identify disproportionately affected populations and inform strategies to reduce drug overdose deaths.

There are many reasons a person under the age of 18 may wish to obtain the life-saving overdose reversal medication naloxone or another opioid antagonist. In 2020, over 15 percent (874 out of 5,502) overdose deaths in California occurred in individuals under the age of 25. Additionally, individuals under the age of 18 may be able to intervene in the overdose of an adult, such as a friend or family member. This fact sheet examines the legality of dispensing naloxone to minors in California.

This video describes the dangers of using "new marijuana" or “wax,” an altered version of cannabis that is mixed with other, more lethal substances. It shows how this more intense version of THC can negatively impact youth and their brain development.

The SCCY is a group of caring community members working together to make Sacramento a safe place for young people to grow up, free from the influences of substances that are addictive and harmful.

This organization aims to engage Black women in California experiencing substance use disorder by providing culturally relevant resources and treatment options that empower their commitment to physical, spiritual and mental healing.

CCP creates a welcoming, safe space for community members and organizational leaders to hold meaningful conversations, learn together, and take collective action to improve health and equity in California and beyond. We facilitate community change through convening, coalition building, training, and leadership development. By engaging people and communities who often are left out of decision-making, we catalyze innovative solutions and elevate what works.

More people are dying from fentanyl-related deaths than firearm-related homicides in Sacramento County. This web page offers resources and stories about how fentanyl-laced pills have affected Sacramento County, and what we can do to curb overdoses in our communities.

When it comes to our health, our zip code matters more than our genetic code. For many communities in California and across the United States, easy access to healthy food options, parks for exercise, and good schools determines quality & length of life. The California Endowment’s 10-year Building Healthy Communities initiative seeks to bring equity to all neighborhoods so that all Californians can enjoy the benefits of healthy communities to live long and prosper.

Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose when administered in time. By increasing naloxone access and awareness in our communities, we can help save lives. Check out the CDC's new resources to help promote naloxone dispensing in your community.