Carfentanil, a synthetic opioid 100 times more potent than fentanyl, has emerged in Santa Clara County, resulting in the first reported overdose death. Officials, including Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Michelle Jordan, are raising awareness about the potential dangers of counterfeit pills that may be laced with this potent drug. The county is also enhancing its treatment services for opioid use disorder, emphasizing accessibility for individuals at various stages of their journey. The Opioid Overdose Prevention Project is providing free naloxone to combat overdoses, highlighting the urgent response needed to this escalating crisis.
"Carfentanil is 100 times more potent than fentanyl," Dr. Jordan said. This highlights the alarming strength of carfentanil, emphasizing the danger of its presence in the community.
"What I'm really worried about -- and the reason I want people to be made aware of this -- is because some of the pills that are sold off the street could be potentially laced with carfentanil," Dr. Jordan said. This statement underscores the risks associated with counterfeit pills and street drugs.
"You know, you don't have to be perfect or gotten somewhere to get help. You can be just anywhere in your journey, and there is some sort of help available," Cheryl Ho explained, emphasizing the importance of accessible treatment for substance use.
"So this stack are all the postmortem toxicology reports of drug-related fatalities," Dr. Jordan said, showcasing the somber reality of drug-related deaths in the community.
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