Oxnard Police Respond to the Opioid Epidemic in Ventura County скачать в хорошем качестве

Oxnard Police Respond to the Opioid Epidemic in Ventura County

Over 70,000 people in the United States will die this year as a result of overdosing on opioids. Opioids include everything from heroin and fentanyl to prescription pills like oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), codeine and morphine. Overdose deaths have risen fivefold since 1999. The Oxnard Police Department has been focusing on addressing this crisis and saving the lives of our residents. Officers respond to the consequences of drug misuse every day. They see the toll this crisis is taking first-hand, and have taken a critical role in helping reduce opioid-related deaths in our community. “First and foremost, we are committed to saving lives in our community any way we can,” said Police Chief Scott Whitney, “in this case, we want to save lives by encouraging the safe disposal of opioids and through first-responder administration of Naloxone.” The Police Department has created a close working partnership with Ventura County Behavioral Health to address this issue. Together, these departments have created a video to bring awareness to the “Overdose Prevention Program” offered through Ventura County Behavioral Health to inform the community of the life-saving efforts and prevention strategies. This video can be found on the department’s new YouTube channel, www.oxnardpdtv.com, or at this direct link:    • Oxnard Police Respond to the Opioid Epidem...   The Department has trained over 150 police officers to administer Naloxone to overdose victims. Officers are now issued Naloxone kits to help save lives and combat the opioid epidemic. Ventura County Behavioral Health also now provides at-home Naloxone kits for families who reside in our county. The administration of Naloxone provides vital time until EMS arrives to care for the victim. In the past year in Ventura County, 237 lives have been saved by Naloxone. If you or someone you care about may be in danger of an opioid overdose, call the Ventura County Behavioral Health confidential assistance phone line for a free rescue kit: (805) 667-6663. The Oxnard Police Department’s recent efforts also include providing education on potential prescription drug misuse and highlighting safe and effective ways for the general public to dispose of prescription medication. In order to combat addiction and misuse of opioids, it is of the utmost importance to dispose of any unused or unwanted prescription medications. The Oxnard Police Department, Ventura County Behavioral Health and City of Oxnard Senior Services have partnered to provide quarterly “Drug Take Back” events at the senior facilities in the city. Additionally, a pharmaceutical drop-off bin was installed in the lobby of the police station (251 S C St., Oxnard CA 93030). We also now accept pet medications and syringes. Police Chief Scott Whitney actively participates on a countywide drug overdose prevention workgroup. This workgroup consists of physicians, public health employees, hospitals and law enforcement and the focus is finding strategies to better address the countywide opioid problem.