In the late 1990s, pharmaceutical companies reassured the medical community that patients would not become addicted to opioid pain relievers and healthcare providers began to prescribe them at greater rates. Increased prescription of opioid medications led to widespread misuse of both prescription and non-prescription opioids before it became clear that these medications could indeed be highly addictive.

Devastating consequences of the opioid epidemic include increases in opioid misuse and overdoses, as well as the rising incidence of newborns experiencing withdrawal syndrome due to opioid use and misuse during pregnancy. Opioid overdoses accounted for more than 42,000 deaths in 2016, more than any previous year on record. An estimated 40% of opioid overdose deaths involved a prescription opioid.¹

Over the last three years, Kern County has seen a steady increase in opioid overdose deaths and emergency room visits for opioid overdoses.

In Kern County in 2018:

• 91 opioid overdose deaths (66% increase since 2016)
• 26 Fentanyl overdose deaths
• 20 Heroin overdose deaths
• 355 Emergency Department visits related to any opioid overdose ²
• In August 2019, treatment admissions for Opioids surpassed Methamphetamine ³

Drug Free Kern works on initiatives that include educating prescribers on best prescribing practices, proper disposal of unused and expired medication, education, and prevention to reduce opioid misuse and abuse.

For substance use treatment and services:

• Call Gateway Services, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 1-866-266-4898

• In Person:
  • Mary K. Shell: 2151 College Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93305
  • Department of Human Services – Room L90: 100 East California Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93307
  • Juvenile Justice Center: 2100 College Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93305
  • Kern County Superior Court – 4th Floor: 1415 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301

In 2018 out of 9.9 million people aged 12 or older who misused prescription pain relievers in last year:

• 37.6% Got through Prescription(s) or stole from a Health Care Provider
• 51.3% Given by, Bought from, or took from a Friend or Relative and 38.6% of these individuals got prescription drugs from a friend or relative for free.

Because 38.6% of individuals that misuse or abuse a prescription drug receive it from a friend or family member for free, awareness and access to safe medication disposal are crucial to decreasing this point of access. Beyond prescription misuse and abuse, improper disposal of medication by throwing it out in the trash or flushing it down the toilet can lead to theft of the medication and groundwater contamination.

If you have home generated sharps (syringes) to dispose of, please visit a Kern County Public Works Special Waste Facility to find a waste facility site near you. Public Works also provides free home generated sharps receptacles to residents.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer issued a Standing Order for Naloxone to allow entities to distribute and administer naloxone to reduce deaths associated with opioid overdose.⁴ Through this standing order, California’s Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) created the Naloxone Distribution Project to provide organizations access to Naloxone at no cost.⁵

Drug Free Kern is a recipient of DHCS’s Naloxone Distribution Project grant and provides Naloxone through the Naloxone Distribution Program.

The Naloxone Distribution Program is based on the train the trainer model. The program trains organizations that conduct outreach to high risk populations throughout the county. Participants learn the warning signs of an opioid overdose, how to administer Naloxone, and best practices in relation to engaging active substance users. Program participants are provided Naloxone kits to distribute at no cost.

For individuals and family members naloxone is available from their doctor to have it filled at a pharmacy.  It is also possible to purchase naloxone directly from a pharmacist without a prescription.  If you have health care insurance, naloxone prescriptions may be covered.⁶

To learn more about this program please email DrugFreeKern@KernBHRS.org.