Editorial: California must get ahead of the deadly fentanyl epidemic

That requires educating kids on the risks, expansion of drug treatment and distribution of opioid-reversing medications.

California needs a multi-prong attack on the rapidly escalating fentanyl scourge devastating families across the state.

That should include educating our kids on the deadly risks of the powerful synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, expansion of drug treatment programs and wider distribution of opioid-reversing medications that can save the lives of overdose victims.

The Centers for Disease Control reports that fentanyl is responsible for the death of more Americans under 50 than any other cause, including heart disease, cancer, homicide, suicide and accidents. All told, fentanyl killed a record 5,960 Californians in 2021, according to the California Department of Vital Statistics — more than the 4,250 people who died in auto accidents.

Yet, students and parents remain largely unaware of the dangers associated with today’s street drugs. Pills sold over the internet or on the streets that are purportedly prescription drugs like Adderall, oxycodone or Xanax are too often laced with fentanyl. Medical experts say that as little as two milligrams of fentanyl, or roughly the size of five grains of salt, can cause a lethal overdose.

Tragic cases of fentanyl overdoses abound, including the story of Zach Didier, the standout Rocklin student athlete who died two days after Christmas after buying and taking what he thought was a Percocet through his Snapchat account. Melanie Ramos, a 15-year-old student at Bernstein High School in Hollywood, died in the high school’s bathroom in 2022 after taking what she thought was a Percocet.

There are some positive steps being taken in the state Capitol to help address the crisis. State Sen. Dave Cortese, D-San Jose, introduced legislation in Melanie Ramos’ honor that would require schools to offer a drug education program, which is recommended but not required by current law and seldom taught. Teachers and schools also need additional training programs if they are to do their part to reduce fentanyl overdoes.

Assemblymember Matt Haney, D-San Francisco, has introduced a bill that would allow mobile pharmacies to dispense medications used to treat opioid addiction.

And Gov. Gavin Newsom in March announced a plan to spend $100 million in next fiscal year’s budget to make naloxone available in middle and high schools. The nasal spray can reverse opioid overdoses. His proposal would also include $10 million for drug treatment services.

On April 28, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that he would send the National Guard and California Highway Patrol to fight the rampant rise of fentanyl use in San Francisco, which reported a stunning 620 fentanyl overdose deaths in 2022.  The governor said the effort would not seek to criminalize those struggling with substance abuse but would instead focus on disrupting the supply fueling the fentanyl crisis “by holding drug suppliers and traffickers accountable.”

Slowing the supply of fentanyl in the Tenderloin and South of Market areas would be welcome; it remains to be seen whether Newsom’s approach is effective at stemming the fatalities and provides the best bang for the buck.

Addressing the tragic increase in fentanyl deaths should be the state’s top priority.