Owen Newman, Jr. shares how he is coping after losing his daughter, Talaia, to fentanyl poisoning.

Owen Newman Jr. shares the heartbreaking experience of taking his daughter, Talaia, off life support after she suffered poisoning from fentanyl.

Owen Newman Jr.’s daughter was unconscious for 38 minutes and later died of fentanyl poisoning. He wants to use his daughter’s story to raise awareness about the dangers of illicit fentanyl and the impact it's having on everyday households.

After losing his daughter Talaia to fentanyl poisoning, Owen Newman Jr. explains how he feels close to her when he shares her story and spreads awareness about the dangers of fentanyl.

Sacramento County DA Thien Ho discusses illicit fentanyl's origins, it's journey from China to Mexico, and entry into the United States.

Sacramento County DA, Thien Ho, explains how illicit fentanyl is smuggled across the borders into the United States, including transporting the drugs via air, land, and water.

Sacramento County DA, Thien Ho, discusses the likelihood that counterfeit pills contain fentanyl and how even experts often can’t tell the difference between real and fake pills.

Sacramento County DA, Thien Ho, explains what happens once fentanyl reaches the United States and how it’s getting into the hands of, and killing, so many people.

Thien Ho, Sacramento County DA, explains how Mexican drug cartels are getting fentanyl from China, lacing other drugs with it to increase potency and profits, and then distributing it across the United States.

Sacramento County DA, Thien Ho, discusses the multifaceted factors contributing to the opioid epidemic and fentanyl crisis.

Addressing the fentanyl crisis requires the involvement of all stakeholders from parents to schools, to community groups, to law enforcement.

Overdose typically means a person has taken too much of a known substance. Poisoning, on the other hand, is when a person believes they have taken a particular substance that was sold to them, but it unknowingly contained illicit fentanyl.

Berry Accius, founder of Voice of the Youth, emphasizes the need for adequate support services and resources to encourage community members to seek help for mental health and substance use.

Systemic issues often serve as barriers to having open conversations about and addressing substance use – including the opioid epidemic – in Black communities.

Addressing substance use and addiction requires adequate and equitable resources for everyone, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status.

Berry Accius, founder of Voice of the Youth, emphasizes the lethal nature of fentanyl and how teens need to understand the deadly consequences of one decision.

Berry Accius, founder of Voice of the Youth, explains how young people need to face the reality – that individuals are dying from fentanyl – to move past fears of “snitching" and begin having tough conversations about how to prevent deaths.

Unfortunately, often seeking help for substance use disorders carries the weight of stigma, which deters people from asking for the support they need. We need to move past this to begin moving forward in addressing the fentanyl crisis and substance use disorder.

Parents need to understand how drug dealers are using social media to target their kids, so they can have informed and open conversations about substance use.

Berry Accius, Founder of Voice of the Youth, discusses the ramifications of taking streets drugs; all it takes is one pill to kill, and there's no coming back.

After learning her son Zach died from fentanyl poisoning, Laura Didier describes her feelings of confusion and helplessness since there were no warning signs.

Laura Didier, whose son Zach died from fentanyl poisoning, describes the shock she felt after listening to the coroner since Zach hadn’t shown typical red flags and didn’t have a history of drug use.

Despite having open conversations about substance use with her son Zach, who died from fentanyl poisoning, Laura Didier explains how she didn’t know to include fentanyl in those discussions.

Laura Didier explains how she and her son Zach, who died from fentanyl poisoning, had open conversations about substances like marijuana and alcohol, but that she didn’t know to include fentanyl in those discussions.

Zach Didier thought he was taking Percocet, but toxicology reports showed he ingested lethal amounts of fentanyl.

Laura Didier shares the story of her final goodbye to her son Zach after he died from fentanyl poisoning.

Laura Didier, who lost her son Zach to fentanyl poisoning, reflects on what she wishes she had known about fentanyl, counterfeit pills, and the use of social media to target young people.

Zach Didier and friends bought what they thought were Percocet pills through Snapchat, but some of the pills contained lethal amounts of fentanyl, leading to Zach’s death from fentanyl poisoning.

Drug dealers are using Snapchat and other social media platforms to sell counterfeit pills, often containing lethal amounts of fentanyl, to young people.

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid that binds to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, suppressing pain and inducing euphoria. It can cause respiratory depression, leading to shallow breathing or even respiratory arrest, along with sedation, confusion, nausea, and potentially fatal overdose.

Kristel Suchland, of the SAC Crime Lab, discusses how difficult it is to distinguish between real and fake pills. It typically requires bringing them into the crime lab and using sophisticated equipment to acquire a definitive answer.

Kristel Suchland, of the SAC Crime Lab, discusses how the forms of fentanyl they’re seeing on the streets have changed over time.

While fentanyl test strips may help reduce risk, they are not reliably accurate, as Kristel Suchland of the Sacramento County Crime Lab explains.

Since 2019, fentanyl cases have skyrocketed in Sacramento County with fentanyl becoming the deadliest drug, according to the SAC Crime Lab.

The methods used to mix fentanyl with fillers and other drugs create a dangerous inconsistency when it's pressed into pills: One pill may not have any fentanyl, while another from the same mix may have a deadly amount.

Fentanyl is coming into Sacramento County in different forms: both pills and powder that is dyed in different colors to appeal to younger people.

Kristel Suchland, of the SAC Crime Lab, explains the distinction between overdose and poisoning and the deception involved with fentanyl.

Kristel Suchland of the Sacramento County Crime Lab discusses the reliability of fentanyl test strips, their shortcomings, and what people need to be aware of.

Laura Collanton, who lost her son Spencer to fentanyl poisoning, describes the soul-crushing grief and the solace found in other parents who have experienced similar loss.

After her son Spencer died from fentanyl poisoning, Laura Collanton explains how they learned he bought the drugs through Snapchat.

Laura Collanton, who lost her son Spencer to fentanyl poisoning, emphasizes the need for additional education and programs focused on substance use disorders and stigma reduction.

Parents should be careful of thinking “Not my child” when it comes to drugs like fentanyl because it takes only one impulsive, and possibly fatal, decision to alter a family’s future.

Although Sacramento County is a great place to live, residents must understand the implications of living along an active drug corridor.

After losing her son Spencer to fentanyl poisoning, Laura Collanton discusses California’s 911 Good Samaritan law to assure teens that they won’t get into trouble for seeking medical help in the case of a drug overdose.

One mistake can be deadly for teens who choose to experiment with drugs that are unknowingly laced with fentanyl, which is why having hard conversations with kids is so important.

While teen drug experimentation has always carried risks, fentanyl has made it deadly.

It takes only minutes for fentanyl to affect the body’s respiratory system. Teens need to know the signs of fentanyl poisoning and opioid overdose and keep an eye on their friends.

Laura Collanton, who lost her son Spencer to fentanyl poisoning, urges teens to understand the startling statistics regarding fentanyl’s presence in illicit drugs, including fake pills.

Even if a friend offers you a pill that they claim is safe, you never know for sure what’s in it. It could be a deadly fentanyl-laced or pure fentanyl pill.

Allyssia Paloma, who lost her brother to fentanyl poisoning, emphasizes the importance of families having open conversations about mental health, trauma, and substance use.

Allyssia Paloma, who lost her brother to fentanyl poisoning, remembers her final goodbye to her brother, Mikael, before the coroner took him away.

Teens and young adults buy pills that they believe are pharmaceuticals like Percocet or Adderall when in reality they are fake and often contain lethal doses of fentanyl.

Allyssia Paloma, who lost her brother to fentanyl poisoning, recalls the impact the pandemic had on her brother’s mental health.

After learning her brother Mikael had died, Allyssia Paloma describes the initial shock and disbelief as she grappled with the loss of him to fentanyl poisoning.

Teens and young adults often get pills from friends, whom they trust. Unfortunately, most kids do not know what’s in the pills they are sharing or taking, which is leading to fentanyl poisoning.

Allyssia Paloma shares the memory of the moment she found her brother, Mikael, who died from fentanyl poisoning.

After losing her brother to fentanyl poisoning, Allyssia Paloma describes the phone call she made to her mom to share the news.

It only takes 2mg of fentanyl to be deadly, far less than heroin, cocaine, and meth. By comparison, a standard restaurant sugar packet contains 1,000 mg (1g) of sugar.

Young people are especially vulnerable as drug dealers are using Snapchat to sell fake pills that look like pharmaceuticals but are laced with lethal doses of fentanyl.

Father Chris Didier discusses the ripple effect of trauma following his son Zach’s death from fentanyl poisoning on their family and entire community.

Chris Didier, who lost his son Zach to fentanyl poisoning, emphasizes the importance of having honest discussions with kids about the lethal and deceptive nature of fentanyl and how fentanyl poisoning happens across all demographics.

Chris Didier, who lost his son Zach to fentanyl poisoning, pleads with teens to learn the facts about fentanyl and help spread awareness that “one pill can kill.”

Fentanyl-related deaths, among high-school-age youth, have grown 2-3 times the average rate as teens are more digitally connected than ever.

The majority of illicit fentanyl is produced in Mexico, using ingredients shipped from China, before being smuggled into the United States.

Dr. Gina Warren, co-founder and executive director of Neighborhood Wellness Foundation, emphasizes the role of hope in overcoming trauma.

Often, people use substances, such as opioids, to cope with trauma and socioeconomic struggles, so addressing the root causes of substance use is critical.

Dr. Gina Warren, co-founder and executive director of Neighborhood Wellness Foundation, discusses the role of healing circles in reducing stigma and fostering healthy discussions around mental health and substance use.

Co-founder and executive director of Neighborhood Wellness Foundation, Dr. Gina Warren, explains how a lack of resources, coupled with generational trauma, creates barriers for individuals, families, and communities.

Dr. Gina Warren discusses the work of the Neighborhood Wellness Foundation and the importance of empowerment in helping individuals recover from trauma and substance use.

Dr. Gina Warren, co-founder and executive director of Neighborhood Wellness Foundation, discusses the impact of generational disenfranchisement, stress, and trauma on communities while emphasizing the importance of adequate resources.

Dr. Gina Warren explains how everyone’s personal experiences, especially for those impacted by trauma, affect others. She stresses the importance of asking, “What happened to them?” to understand the pain and how to move forward toward healing.

Co-founder and executive director of Neighborhood Wellness Foundation, Dr. Gina Warren, explains the role of healing circles in creating pathways to healing and achievement in the Black community.

Co-founder Dr. Gina Warren describes the goals of the Neighborhood Wellness Foundation in supporting individuals and families in the Del Paso Heights community in healing from intergenerational trauma and poverty.

Economic stress and cycles of trauma can lead to desperation, frustration, and anger. Understanding and addressing the pain that people are experiencing will lead to better outcomes for individuals and communities.

Dr. Gina Warren, co-founder and executive director of Neighborhood Wellness Foundation, explains the impact of trauma on individuals, families, and communities.

Davis started using drugs at a young age. He got hooked on fentanyl and is now living on the streets in San Francisco. His mother, Tammy Morgan-Foglia, tells his story.

Get help for substance use and/or addiction at www.safersacramento.com/county-programs.

Drawing boundaries with those dealing with addiction is crucial for both parties' well-being. It establishes clear limits, fostering healthier relationships and preventing enabling behaviors. Boundaries communicate respect for oneself and the individual struggling with addiction, promoting accountability and self-awareness.

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Fentanyl binds to opioid receptors in the brain, flooding it with dopamine, inducing euphoria and pain relief. With repeated use, the brain adapts, requiring more fentanyl to achieve the same effects. Over time, this leads to physical dependence and addiction, altering brain chemistry and perpetuating compulsive drug-seeking behavior.

This is Davis's detox experience, as shared by his mother Tammy Morgan-Foglia.

"When I first contacted my son when he was in jail, our conversations were awful. He was arrogant, entitled, drug addict Davis. He was the Davis that I despise."

Get help for addiction or substance use at: www.safersacramento.com/county-programs.

Tammy's son Davis is addicted to fentanyl and has struggled with recovery. He has been in and out of the justice system. This is what Tammy wants other parents who are dealing with the same challenges to know.

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Being the parent of an addict is a rollercoaster of emotions. It's a constant cycle of hope, fear, and heartbreak. You love them fiercely but feel powerless as you watch them struggle. It's a journey marked by worry, guilt, and the desperate desire for their recovery and well-being.

Get help for addiction at www.safersacramento.com/county-programs.

Sometimes, you have to make the tough choices to protect your children.

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"The biggest obstacle that people have to get over is that it's not about them. My son's choices have nothing to do with me. I didn't make him an addict. I can't control it."

Get help for substance use and addiction at www.safersacramento.com/county-programs.

Addiction affects everyone in its orbit. Those with loved ones struggling with addiction must navigate a complex web of emotions, set boundaries, and find support. It's about facing your own fears, anxieties, and uncertainties while striving to maintain balance and protect your well-being.

Find addiction recovery and support services at www.safersacramento.com/county-programs.

Relapse from addiction is the return to substance use after a period of abstinence or recovery. It's a setback in the journey toward sobriety, often triggered by stress, cravings, or environmental cues. Relapse is a common challenge in addiction recovery, requiring renewed determination and support to resume the path to recovery.

Get help and find support at www.safersacramento.com/county-programs.

Having a child living on the street is a nightmare of anguish and helplessness. It's an overwhelming mix of fear, guilt, and heartache. Tammy's son Davis started living on the street when he got addicted to fentanyl. She had to draw difficult boundaries with him to keep her family safe. This is her story.

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Setting boundaries with a loved one battling addiction is vital for their recovery and your well-being. Saying "no" enforces limits, preventing enabling behaviors and promoting accountability. It encourages them to seek help and take responsibility for their actions, fostering healthier dynamics and supporting their journey towards sobriety.

Find addiction and recovery support at www.safersacramento.com/county-programs.

Sacramento County Deputy Amar Gandhi encourages parents to monitor their kids’ phones and have the difficult conversations necessary to help increase awareness of and help prevent risks associated with fentanyl poisoning and other substances.

Street drugs kill. Get the facts about the dangers of fentanyl: www.safersacramento.com/fentanyl-facts.

Sacramento County Sheriff's Deputy Amar Gandhi makes a case for why decriminalization of hard drugs makes targeting suppliers difficult and why the ability to enforce drug laws is critical.

Street drugs kill. Get the facts about the dangers of fentanyl: www.safersacramento.com/fentanyl-facts.

Sacramento County Sheriff's Deputy Amar Gandhi explains the value of law enforcement partnering with community advocacy groups to connect those struggling with substance use to resources.

Street drugs kill. Get the facts about the dangers of fentanyl: www.safersacramento.com/fentanyl-facts.

Too often, individuals – especially teens – think they are purchasing a recreational drug just to have some fun. But fun can turn tragic with fentanyl-laced drugs.

Street drugs kill. Get the facts about the dangers of fentanyl: www.safersacramento.com/fentanyl-facts.

Drug dealers now use fentanyl to cut other drugs because it is cheap and widely available, but this is leading to deadly consequences across Sacramento County and the nation.

Street drugs kill. Get the facts about the dangers of fentanyl: www.safersacramento.com/fentanyl-facts.

Fentanyl is affecting all communities and, as Sacramento County Deputy Amar Gandhi argues, public awareness and support of initiatives that allow law enforcement to target the suppliers is essential.

Street drugs kill. Get the facts about the dangers of fentanyl: www.safersacramento.com/fentanyl-facts.

Sacramento County Deputy Amar Gandhi emphasizes the need for people to take the fentanyl crisis seriously, calling on elected officials, community leaders, and neighbors to take action.

Street drugs kill. Get the facts about the dangers of fentanyl: www.safersacramento.com/fentanyl-facts.

Drug suppliers are motivated by maximizing profits through cost-cutting measures. Because fentanyl can enhance the effects of other substances, it has become a popular, though deadly, cutting agent used by drug dealers.

Street drugs kill. Get the facts about the dangers of fentanyl: www.safersacramento.com/fentanyl-facts.

Drug dealers want to create a better product that is cost-effective. Fentanyl allows suppliers to cheaply enhance their products, disregarding people’s lives.

Street drugs kill. Get the facts about the dangers of fentanyl: www.safersacramento.com/fentanyl-facts.

The drug crisis is expanding in Sacramento County, with people from all socioeconomic and demographic backgrounds affected.

Street drugs kill. Get the facts about the dangers of fentanyl: www.safersacramento.com/fentanyl-facts.

Everyone, from law enforcement to advocacy and community groups to individuals, is needed to solve the fentanyl crisis.

Street drugs kill. Get the facts about the dangers of fentanyl: www.safersacramento.com/fentanyl-facts.

As drug suppliers compete with the legal marijuana market and with other drug dealers, they are enhancing their marijuana supply with fentanyl, leading to many unintentional poisonings.

Street drugs kill. Get the facts about the dangers of fentanyl: www.safersacramento.com/fentanyl-facts.

With the decriminalization of hard drugs, use of methamphetamine has risen while prices have dropped. To keep pace with demand and reduce costs, suppliers are cutting meth with fentanyl leading to deadly consequences.

Street drugs kill. Get the facts about the dangers of fentanyl: www.safersacramento.com/fentanyl-facts.

Naloxone (Narcan) has saved countless lives of people who experience fentanyl poisoning.

Street drugs kill. Get the facts about the dangers of fentanyl: www.safersacramento.com/fentanyl-facts.

Fentanyl is used by some individuals with mental illness to cope with their struggles, but it puts them and others in the community at risk.

Street drugs kill. Get the facts about the dangers of fentanyl: www.safersacramento.com/fentanyl-facts.

With the rise of social media, black market sales of drugs like fentanyl have surged, leading to deadly consequences.

Street drugs kill. Get the facts about the dangers of fentanyl: www.safersacramento.com/fentanyl-facts.

Lavichia Jones describes her son, Antonio Rodriguez, who died from fentanyl poisoning.

Street drugs kill. Get the facts about the dangers of fentanyl: www.safersacramento.com/fentanyl-facts.

A mother shares her experience with grief after losing her son to fentanyl poisoning.

Street drugs kill. Get the facts about the dangers of fentanyl: www.safersacramento.com/fentanyl-facts.

Lavichia Jones, who lost her son Antonio to fentanyl poisoning, wants to tell his story to help others in the community.

Street drugs kill. Get the facts about the dangers of fentanyl: www.safersacramento.com/fentanyl-facts.

Lavichia Jones, who lost her son Antonio to fentanyl poisoning, explains that what he thought was a Percocet, turned out to be laced with fentanyl.

Street drugs kill. Get the facts about the dangers of fentanyl: www.safersacramento.com/fentanyl-facts.

Shame, stigma, and disbelief prevent people from talking about young people’s fentanyl and other substance-related deaths.

Street drugs kill. Get the facts about the dangers of fentanyl: www.safersacramento.com/fentanyl-facts.

After losing her son to fentanyl poisoning, Lavichia Jones is finally able to tell his story as she continues to struggle with her grief.

Street drugs kill. Get the facts about the dangers of fentanyl: www.safersacramento.com/fentanyl-facts.

Lavichia Jones, who lost her son Antonio to fentanyl poisoning, grapples with her loss and how to move forward.

Street drugs kill. Get the facts about the dangers of fentanyl: www.safersacramento.com/fentanyl-facts.

Moneshia Campus, Human Services Program Planner, explains how access to quality healthcare services can improve treatment in diverse communities.

Moneshia Campus, Human Services Program Planner, is focused on ensuring the people of Sacramento County have access to healthcare that is culturally sensitive and reflects the needs of diverse populations.

Moneshia Campus, Human Services Program Planner, emphasizes the importance of remembering the generational strength and perseverance of the Black community to promote healthier and happier lives.

Moneshia Campus, Human Services Program Planner, pushes back against common Black stereotypes that serve as barriers to accessing quality healthcare.

Moneshia Campus, Human Services Program Planner, shares how trauma can lead people to substance use and the importance of culturally relevant care that serves the whole person.

As Moneshia Campus, Human Services Program Planner, explains, reshaping the narrative about culturally relevant and responsive education for healthcare providers will create more buy-in and lead to better outcomes in diverse communities.

Increasing prevention resources, treating the whole person, and reducing barriers in diverse communities will improve outcomes for families affected by substance use.

Healthcare research has not historically included diverse populations. Improving diversity will help reduce bias, stereotyping, and stigma with substance use disorders and enhance the overall quality of care.

Part of the treatment process, especially in diverse communities, for substance use should include building relationships through connection and rapport.

To adequately treat individuals struggling with substance use, healthcare providers need education and training in providing culturally relevant and responsive care in diverse communities.

Meth and fentanyl are impacting people of all ages and from many communities in Sacramento.

Moneshia Campus, Human Services Program Planner, emphasizes the need for diverse healthcare providers so that individuals who struggle with substance use see themselves in those who are treating them.

Many people who have recovered from substance use disorder are ashamed to share their experiences, but hearing their stories can empower others to believe that recovery is possible.

Individuals in Black communities who are struggling with substance use need better quality care where they feel supported and heard and are treated as more than a statistic.

The lack of overall diversity in general healthcare creates additional barriers, especially in the Black community where stigma makes talking about substance use with family and friends difficult.

Moneshia Campus, Human Services Program Planner, shares her vision of a Safer Sacramento and what that looks like for its diverse communities.

Moneshia Campus, Human Services Program Planner, explains the stigma gap that exists between older adults and young people.

Moneshia Campus, Human Services Program Planner, cautions against waiting until substance use becomes a problem and instead focusing on prevention through education and resources that address the needs of the whole person.

While overall stigma in the Black community is lowering as more programs are developed, substance use among young people is increasing.

Moneshia Campus, Human Services Program Planner, shares her concerns about how to appeal to young people and promote healthy lifestyles in diverse communities when many artists, who they look up to, glorify substance use.

Nancy Valencia shares how her path from addiction to recovery and how it was motivated by her love for her son.

Nancy Valencia discusses the fear she was able to overcome after experiencing unsuccessful attempts at recovery.

Nancy Valencia reflects on her path to treatment and the accomplishments she has celebrated along the way.

Support systems are key for people who are in recovery from substance use disorders, as they offer grace, compassion, and resources for individuals like Nancy Valencia.

Nancy Valencia shares her plan for telling her son about her past challenges with substance use disorder and how she pursued a path to recovery after learning she was pregnant.

Nancy Valencia recalls how going to jail was the tipping point that put her on the path to recovery from daily methamphetamine use.

Nancy Valencia has been in recovery from substance use for 15 months, a testament to the possibility of change.

Sacramento County Peer support specialist, Cortney Hunley-Varela, explains how her drug use began when she was a teenager and how she was able to hide her use from friends and family.

Sacramento County Peer support specialist, Cortney Hunley-Varela, shares how all who struggle with addiction have the same feelings of darkness and desperation, which can be hard for friends and family to understand.

Sacramento County Peer support specialist, Cortney Hunley-Varela, discusses the importance of not giving up hope for recovery and that there are always people available and willing to offer support.

Sacramento County Peer support specialist, Cortney Hunley-Varela, sympathizes with individuals who are struggling with addiction, scared of the path to recovery, and shame that comes from feelings of stigma and disappointment with themselves.

Sacramento County Peer support specialist, Cortney Hunley-Varela, explains how recovery means being okay, despite loss.

Sacramento County Peer support specialist, Cortney Hunley-Varela, explains how her first-hand experience with substance use disorder allows her to empathize with others who are struggling with addiction and encourage them to seek a path to recovery.

Sacramento County Peer support specialist, Cortney Hunley-Varela, describes her role as a peer support specialist who works with individuals and their families who are waiting for placement in treatment facilities to address alcohol and substance use disorders and pursue a path to recovery.

Sacramento County Peer support specialist, Cortney Hunley-Varela, dispels the idea that relapses during recovery are something to be ashamed of. Instead, she explains that relapses are okay and can be learned from.

Sacramento County Peer support specialist, Cortney Hunley-Varela, shares how her life began to spiral after she was introduced to methamphetamine shortly before her 21st birthday.

Sacramento County As a peer support specialist working with individuals struggling with addiction and substance use disorders, Cortney Hunley-Varela emphasizes the importance of connection and seeing people as human beings rather than just numbers or data points.

Sacramento County Peer support specialist, Cortney Hunley-Varela, shares how dreams and goals are overshadowed by addiction, while individuals are working to survive. The path to recovery involves moving from merely surviving to living and from self-loathing to love for oneself and for others.

Sacramento County Peer support specialist, Cortney Hunley-Varela, explains the importance of forgiveness, for oneself and others, during recovery from substance use disorder and addiction.

Sacramento County Peer support specialist, Cortney Hunley-Varela, is living proof that recovery from substance use disorder is possible. The path to recovery from addiction is not only about the substances but is also about learning to live a happy and healthy life, which is unique to each individual.

Sacramento County Peer support specialist, Cortney Hunley-Varela, shares that the path to recovery is a journey and that despite relapses, moving forward and learning about oneself along the way is progress toward feeling well and whole.

Sacramento County Peer support specialist, Cortney Hunley-Varela, explains how recovering from addiction offers hope, joy, and opportunities despite many struggles along the way. It can allow an individual to feel a sense of integrity and self-confidence that will allow them to live healthier and happier lives.

Sacramento County Peer support specialist, Cortney Hunley-Varela, envisions what a safer Sacramento would look like, from housing security to the availability of resources for people to get help with substance use, domestic violence, and mental health struggles.

Sacramento County Peer support specialist, Cortney Hunley-Varela, shares that mistakes on the path to recovery from substance use disorders are okay and not a sign of failure. Recovery from addiction is about feeling excited to live and hope for the future.

Sacramento County Peer support specialist, Cortney Hunley-Varela, shares the role that violence played in her addiction and how she used substances to numb herself from the trauma.

Many individuals who are homeless are struggling and experiencing disconnection from their community including friends, family, and service providers.

Justin Hernandez, who is part of Sacramento County’s homeless engagement and response team, argues that contrary to what some may believe, the vast majority of people who are homeless express a desire to be connected to services and to live differently.

Justin Hernandez, who is part of Sacramento County’s homeless engagement and response team, addresses some of the stigma and stereotypes surrounding homelessness and explains what may lead an individual to experience homelessness and turn to substance use as a coping mechanism.

Starting with a human-centered approach and building rapport through compassionate conversation with the homeless population is the first step to getting people connected to substance use treatment and wrap-around services.

Often individuals who are using substances such as meth do not know that the drug is laced with fentanyl, which can have deadly consequences. Get the facts about the dangers of fentanyl: www.safersacramento.com/fentanyl-facts.

Justin Hernandez, who is part of Sacramento County’s homeless engagement and response team, discusses substance use in the homeless encampments he works with and the increase in both meth and fentanyl-related deaths.

This is Paul Moore's vision of a safer Sacramento.

Compared to Paul's generation, younger generations approach substance use, addiction, and mental health with greater empathy and understanding. They prioritize destigmatization, advocating for accessible resources, and embracing diverse treatment options. With a focus on holistic well-being and open dialogue, they strive to create a supportive environment where seeking help is normalized and encouraged.

"It just started with crack cocaine in the late- or mid-nineties. Experimenting with it."

When you're ready, we're here for you. Get treatment and support for substance use and addiction at www.safersacramento.com/county-programs

Recovery from substance use and addiction is not only possible but achievable with the right support and resources. Through personalized treatment plans, therapy, peer support, and dedication, countless individuals have reclaimed their lives. Every step forward, no matter how small, brings hope and possibility for a brighter, sober future.

Get support for treatment and recovery at www.safersacramento.com/county-programs.

Generational attitudes towards substance use treatment and recovery vary significantly.

Paul Moore discusses his lived experience struggling with substance use and addiction.

Navigating substance use treatment and recovery poses multifaceted challenges. Stigma often deters individuals from seeking help, while limited access to affordable and comprehensive care exacerbates the struggle. Additionally, personal barriers like denial, fear of judgment, and lack of support can impede the journey toward recovery, highlighting the need for accessible resources and destigmatization efforts.

Paul Moore, Program Services Manager at ONTRACK Program Resources, discussed the things that can be done to enhance recovery for Black men.

Paul Moore shares his story about getting clean and sober after many years of substance use and then relapsing with methamphetamine.

Relapsing after being sober is a setback, not a failure. It's a part of the journey; resilience and support pave the way forward.

Breaking the stigma around substance use, addiction, recovery, and treatment requires empathy, education, and open conversations. We must prioritize understanding over judgment and support over shame. By fostering compassion and providing access to resources, we can create a culture of acceptance and healing for those on the path to recovery.

"I wish I knew that these pills were out there. I wish I knew about fentanyl." Javon Williams lost her son, Lamont Meyers, to fentanyl poisoning. He took what he thought was a Percocet; he didn't know it was laced with fentanyl.

Lamont Meyers died alone in his car of fentanyl poisoning; he took what he thought was a Percocet not knowing it was laced with fentanyl. This is his mother's story of receiving the call notifying her of his death.

"It's the most terrible thing a parent can go through, and we just need to bring awareness."

Javon Williams started the Lamont Meyers Foundation in February 2023 after losing her son Lamont to fentanyl poisoning.

"As a grieving parent, sometimes you've got to trick your mind...Whatever you can do to keep from going insane."

Javon Williams lost her son, Lamont Meyers, to fentanyl poisoning; he took what he thought was a Percocet, not knowing it was laced with fentanyl.

One thing we can do to combat the fentanyl crisis is to speak up. Learn about the dangers of fentanyl and teach your friends, family, and loved ones. Learn more at www.safersacramento.com/fentanyl-facts.

"I almost lost my life. To this day, I take medication for my heart. I don't sleep good...I try to go on." Javon Williams talks about the impact of losing her son, Lamont Meyers, to fentanyl poisoning.

The ripple effect of losing a loved one to fentanyl poisoning is far and wide. Lamont Meyers took what he thought was a Percocet and died of fentanyl poisoning. Since then, his family has never been the same.

Javon Williams lost her son, Lamont Meyers, to fentanyl poisoning. He took what he thought was a Percocet, not knowing it was laced with fentanyl.

"Your heart is just ripped apart. Your rib. There's nothing you can do about it."

Javon Williams lost her son, Lamont Meyers, to fentanyl poisoning. He ingested what he thought was a Percocet; he didn't know it was laced with fentanyl.

Javon Williams lost her son Lamont Meyers, to fentanyl poisoning. This is her experience of losing a child.

Elmo and his daddy Louie talk about parental addiction and getting the right help to feel better. When a parent struggles with addiction, the whole family struggles. It takes effort to start conversations and answer children’s questions. But caring adults can comfort and guide children through difficult moments.

Collaboration is a force multiplier. From a law enforcement perspective, sharing resources, information, and intelligence helps combat the flow of drugs into the community and generate solid investigative work that results in arrests.

Sacramento County Chief Probation Officer Marlon Yarber discusses the drug crisis in SAC County and the role of poly-substance use.

The answer to getting Sacramento County out of the fentanyl crisis is multifaceted and requires work on many levels: prevention, education, treatment, law enforcement, judicial, and more.

Sacramento County Chief Probation Officer Marlon Yarber discusses what parents need to watch for on their kids' social media feeds.

According to the Sacramento County DA Crime Lab, 98% of street drugs are fake, and 99% contain deadly fentanyl. You don't know what you're getting, and your friend or dealer doesn't know what their giving you. Never take an drug that hasn't been prescribed to you by your doctor.

Sacramento Chief Probation Officer Marlon Yarber discusses the rewards of the job and the sense of fulfillment he feels seeing people succeed.

What is the role of law enforcement when it comes to helping people improve their lives, find appropriate services, and make positive changes that help the community?

Are you familiar with the role of probation officers? Sacramento County Chief Probation Officer Marlon Yarber breaks it down.

Watch and listen as Sacramento County Chief of Probation Marlon Yarber shares his vision for a safer Sacramento.

When teams, systems, organizations, and people come together, there is no telling what's possible. Working together, we can reduce substance use in Sacramento County, prevent drug overdose and poisoning deaths, and improve health outcomes for all.

Evidence shows that medicine and preventive medicine and getting people the treatment they need lead to the best outcomes.

If you struggle with substance use or addiction and need support, get help and find treatment options in Sacramento County at www.safersacramento.com/get-help.

There's no FDA-approved treatment for meth use, but promising treatments are on the horizon that do show good efficacy.

If you struggle with substance use or addiction and need support, get help and find treatment options in Sacramento County at www.safersacramento.com/get-help.

Meth is an incredibly addictive drug and extremely dangerous. People become so focused on getting meth that it can dominate their lives. Meth use can also cause strokes, heart attacks, and other potentially fatal health conditions.

Get help and find treatment in Sacramento County at www.safersacramento.com/get-help.

The dollars follow compassionate care. Systems of care spend less when focusing on treatment, intervention, and prevention.

If you struggle with substance use or addiction and need support, get help and find treatment options in Sacramento County at www.safersacramento.com/get-help.

Meth causes dependence and an addiction that is extremely hard to kick. It can control your life and lead to horrible cycles that derail any sense of normalcy.

Get help for substance use and addiction at www.safersacramento.com/get-help.