August 2021 SBC Opioid Task Force Newsletter

SBC Opioid Task Force Newsletter Volume 2- Issue VII - August 2021 | Website

Creating an informed accountable community to decrease opioid use and misuse. SBC OTF is a cross-collaborative community coalition dedicated to preventing substance use and saving lives.

Upcoming Meeting:

September 16, 2021

10:00 - 11:30 am

Our next meeting will be held again via Zoom on September 16, 2021 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am. A calendar reminder the week before will be sent from our AmeriCorps VISTA Marissa Gutierrez at mgutierrez@cosb.us. We look forward to "seeing" you all then.

Updates

International Overdose Awareness Day Event

To be able to address and bring awareness to substance use and overdoses in our community we will be planning to have an educational outreach event at Veteran's Memorial Building on August 31, 2021 from 6-8 pm. San Benito County Opioid Task Force, Monterey County's overdose safety coalition, Prescribe Safe, San Benito Behavioral Health, and Valley Health Associates will be tabling this event.

We have distributed over 80 yard signs to community agencies, organizations, and coalition members that have the number of overdose deaths and the number of lives saved by EMS during 2017-2021 (the years San Benito County Opioid Task Force has been established). If you are interested in having a yard sign please contact Marissa Gutierrez mgutierrez@cosb.us to get one while supplies lasts.

Click here for the flyers for the event

Captain’s Log:

The closing of the Captain’s Log

Eric Taylor, the new acting Sheriff Coroner wrote his closing of the Captain's Log and commitment to continuing writing to the community from his new role.

Click here for the full article

Fentanyl Continues to Drive Overdoses and Deaths Locally

This week a Press Release on overdoses in San Benito County was published. We are seeing a substantial increase in overdoses in our surrounding counties of Monterey, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, and across California. It is critical to bring awareness to our community on the dangers that exist within the local drug supply. Santa Cruz County made a Fentanyl Fact Sheet on how to prevent overdoses, and respond with Narcan® if an overdose happens. To read more on what has been occurring please read the following articles below.

Click any of the blue links to read the full articles:

Sign-Ups Available for the 2 remaining sessions of the Trauma Informed Webinar Series

Please register at tinyurl.com/otfhealth for the trainings you are interested in. There are a limited number of seats. If spots fill up, a waitlist is created. We ask if you cannot attend to please let us know at least 24 hours in advance to open up to those on the waitlist. We look forward to these upcoming trainings and if you have any questions please contact Veronica Johnson vjohnson@cosb.us for more information.

Click here for the flyer and more info

Valley Health Associates Mobile Unit is now in San Benito County Weekly

Valley Health Associates, a medication assisted treatment (MAT) provider that SBC Behavioral Health contracts with, started their mobile clinic in San Benito County at SBCBH's new location every Thursday. Individuals seeking this treatment can contact SBC BH at (831) 636-4020 to review options available and to begin the process to get MAT treatment locally.

Gavilan College is Reopening

Gavilan College coming back in person Gavilan College has served the community during COVID via Zoom and by providing online courses. With things reaching a new normal, Gavilan is committed more than ever to continue supporting the students and will be offering courses in person as well as online to accommodate the community in this changing world we live in. Fall semester begins August 23, 2021.

Resources

Free Naloxone by Mail Available Online

Free Narcan nasal spray is available to be shipped to an individual directly via an organization called NEXTDistro.

A person wanting to access Narcan for free and discretely can do so by visiting the website https://nextdistro.org/calangchoice-in, watching their short training video, completing the 4 question quiz, and submitting a request form. The training is available in English or Spanish. It takes roughly a week or less to have it mailed once completed. This training and forms are available in both English and Spanish.

MED-Project is Coming to

San Benito County

We are excited to announce that San Benito County will be included into MED-Project, allowing for increased medication disposal bins at various sites such as Hazel Hawkins Hospital, San Benito Sheriff's Office, and iCare Pharmacy. The disposal bins will accepted any medication and are expected to be installed mid-late September. We will provide more information once the bins are installed.

In the meantime please follow San Benito County Integrated Waste Management on Facebook @SBCIWM for updates and visit: Medical Waste | San Benito County, CA (cosb.us) .

San Benito County Opioid Task Force | Website