“Evergreen” content that’s meant to educate. Not usually time-bound.
The Tri-County members of the California Overdose Prevention Network (COPN) have put together this stunning Let’s Talk booklet as a tool to help middle school children and their caregivers have productive conversations about mental health, substance use, and navigating life as a youth in the modern age. Let’s Talk is available for free in English […]
New: Let’s Talk Booklet for Middle Schoolers Read More »
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is used in medical settings to treat severe and chronic pain, like pain caused from cancer or serious injuries. It reduces feelings of pain and causes feelings of relaxation and euphoria. Because of its high potency and risk for addiction and overdose, fentanyl is a highly regulated and
Answering Common Questions About Fentanyl Read More »
Naloxone (aka Narcan) is a medication used to reverse or reduce the effects of an opioid overdose. It is an opioid antagonist, which means that it inhibits the effects of opioids like heroin, morphine, and fentanyl by binding to opioid receptors in the brain. The effects of naloxone are temporary and wear off in 30-90
What Is Naloxone and How Do I Use It? Read More »
Witnessing an overdose can be scary, especially if it’s someone you care about. The most important thing is to not panic. Take a deep breath and remember you have the power to help. What Does an Opioid Overdose Look Like? An opioid overdose can cause a range of symptoms depending on the person and the
How to Tell (And What to Do) If Someone Is Overdosing Read More »
Buprenorphine (or bup) is a prescription medication used to treat chronic pain or addiction to opioids like heroin. It is also known by its brand names, Suboxone® and Subutex®. Bup is typically administered by dissolving a pill or film strip under your tongue. If taking medication daily is hard for you, bup is also available
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Many overdose deaths are preventable but the fear of being arrested can keep people from calling emergency services for help. California, like many other states, have special laws in place to make sure people feel safe to call 911 when someone overdoses. This is called a Good Samaritan Law. California’s 911 Good Samaritan law, AB-472,
What Is the California State Good Samaritan Law? Read More »
Studies have shown that there are things parents can do to reduce the likelihood that their children will experiment with drugs or alcohol. You may do many of these things already: Eating dinner as a family, taking an interest in what interests them, and getting to know their friends are all so-called protective factors. Having
How to Talk to Your Teen About Drugs Read More »
In March 2023, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) released a public safety alert warning of the mass distribution of fentanyl mixed with a new substance on the market: Xylazine. Xylazine, also known as “tranq,” is used as a veterinary sedative in animals such as horses and cattle and is not approved for use in humans. While it’s been in the United States for several years, it has recently entered the California drug supply, resulting in over 7,000 deaths in the state since 2021.
What Is Xylazine and What Can I Do To Keep My Patients Safe? Read More »
Fentanyl is a powerful opioid with a high risk of overdose. One of the things that makes fentanyl so dangerous is that it’s used to cut other drugs like heroin or cocaine. Buying off the street makes it hard to know what’s really in your drugs. One way to reduce your risk is to test
How to Use Fentanyl Test Strips Read More »
Cannabis, also known as marijuana, is a widely-used drug that is now legal in many states for medicinal and/or recreational use. However, there are many myths surrounding this drug that may not be true. In this blog post, we will be debunking the top 5 myths about cannabis. Myth: Cannabis is medicine. It’s true that
Debunking Common Cannabis Myths Read More »
