Discover how the holiday season, often associated with joy, can bring unique mental health challenges. Uncover strategies to manage expectations, combat loneliness, and mitigate financial stress.

Explore the rising conversation around ketamine—its medical benefits for treatment-resistant depression, its FDA-approved use as Spravato, and the growing dangers of recreational misuse. Learn the risks, short- and long-term effects, and why awareness is key to preventing harm.

The Administration’s 2025 drug policy statement is a call to action. By focusing on prevention, treatment, law enforcement, and technology, the plan aims to reduce the impact of drugs in America.

Explore the overlooked crisis of opioid and methamphetamine misuse among older adults in Sacramento County. Learn about vulnerability factors, signs of substance misuse, and compassionate, community-driven solutions to support aging populations.

Explore the urgent need for addiction treatment in America’s jails. Learn how effective substance use disorder care behind bars can break the cycle of incarceration, save lives, and improve public health outcomes.

Concluding our in-depth documentary blog series on the illicit fentanyl crisis in the U.S., this final installment recaps key insights, from its origins and trafficking routes to its devastating impact on communities and youth. While progress has been made, challenges remain. Explore the full series to understand the crisis, the fight against fentanyl, and the urgent need for continued action.

Discover how Sacramento County is tackling the fentanyl crisis with a comprehensive approach that includes harm reduction strategies, expanded treatment services, and robust community education programs and partnerships. Learn how initiatives like naloxone distribution, fentanyl test strips, and youth-focused outreach are saving lives and reducing overdose deaths. 

The fentanyl crisis is devastating young people across the U.S., with overdose deaths rising due to counterfeit pills and a lack of understanding about the drug’s dangers. This blog delves into the alarming trends, risk factors, and the role of social media in spreading fentanyl-laced substances.

Learn about the devastating impact of the illicit fentanyl crisis in Sacramento County, where overdose deaths have surged over 2,000% in recent years. Learn about the role of counterfeit pills, the influence of the pandemic, and how fentanyl is disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities.

Harm reduction plays a crucial role in preventing overdose deaths by adopting a realistic approach that focuses on minimizing the negative health, social, and legal impacts associated with drug use/misuse.

Fentanyl has rapidly become a leading cause of overdose deaths in the U.S., hitting vulnerable communities the hardest. This blog explores the devastating impact of fentanyl on economically struggling rural areas and urban centers grappling with homelessness, poverty, and racial inequality. It examines how factors like limited resources, healthcare disparities, and systemic inequities intersect, exacerbating the crisis in these communities.

Recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) is a long-term process that involves various options and support systems tailored to meet the individual’s needs.

Treatment options for substance use disorder (SUD) are diverse and tailored to meet the specific needs of each individual. Effective treatment often involves a combination of therapies and support systems.

Being prepared to help someone who is overdosing involves education, training, carrying naloxone, and having an emergency plan. By taking these steps, you can be ready to act quickly and effectively in an overdose situation, potentially saving a life.

Understanding the factors that contribute to overdose deaths is crucial for developing effective strategies to prevent overdose deaths. Comprehensive approaches that address the underlying causes and provide support and resources can help mitigate this public health and public safety crisis.

Substance use disorders do not discriminate. They can affect anyone, highlighting the importance of widespread awareness, prevention efforts, and accessible treatment options to support those in need. Understanding the multifaceted nature of substance use disorders can help reduce stigma and promote a more supportive environment for individuals struggling with substance use.

Overdoses are largely preventable through a combination of education, harm reduction strategies, medical interventions, and supportive policies.

An overdose occurs when a person consumes a toxic amount of a substance, overwhelming the body's ability to process it safely, leading to severe health complications or death. Overdoses can happen with various substances, including prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, illegal drugs, and alcohol.

Learn about the complexities of fentanyl distribution in the U.S., particularly in California, as our latest blog explores how transnational crime networks exploit vulnerabilities in borders and communities. Discover how technology fuels illicit drug markets, complicating efforts to curb the devastating impact of fentanyl in our latest installment of the documentary blog series, “The Ripple Effect.”

As the fentanyl devastation continues to wreak havoc in our communities, this blog explores how fentanyl infiltrates our U.S. borders and the response of government agencies as they strive to address it. Despite ongoing efforts, illicit fentanyl continues to fuel a devastating opioid crisis, demanding comprehensive and coordinated actions.