Santa Cruz Community Health, Santa Cruz County Office of Education and local school districts will co-host a free viewing of the documentary “Fentanyl High,” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 2, at the Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, followed by a panel discussion including professionals and high school students. Attendance by teens is encouraged.
So many accidental overdose deaths took place in 2023, Santa Cruz County Coroner Stephany Fiore is still reviewing incidents from November and December. She estimates there were 113 drug overdoses last year. Assuming 80% of cases involved fentanyl, that would mean 106 fentanyl deaths. Those who died are mostly white, mostly male, some housed, some unhoused, but no teens.
The film, produced by LC2 Productions and directed by Kyle Santoro, a Los Gatos High School senior, shares the experiences of high school students in Santa Clara County, and explores how teens are dealing with their emotional pain at home and at school, why teens turn to social media to buy fentanyl-laced drugs, and what reforms need to be made to save young lives.
“This powerful documentary directly speaks to the new reality and tragic statistic that drug overdoses and fentanyl poisoning are now the third leading cause of pediatric deaths in the United States,” said Kristen O’Connor, RN, addiction program director at Santa Cruz Community Health. “The goal of this screening is to educate and empower teens to prevent deaths in Santa Cruz County and to give families hope if their teenager struggles with substance use, including resources for evidence-based treatment.”
The documentary features real stories by parents who have lost teens to fentanyl poisoning, as well as first-hand experiences of paramedics, doctors, and government officials who are working to address this issue.
“Families will leave the event with concrete steps for both prevention and support around this issue,” said Dr. Heather Thomsen, a school-based health manager at Santa Cruz County Office of Education. “We will be providing parents and caregivers ‘Let’s Talk’ booklets and tip sheets identifying the signs of an overdose. School nurses will be passing out free Narcan, a lifesaving medication, at the end of the event.”
“We are honored to co-host the screening of ‘Fentanyl High’ as part of our ongoing commitment to adolescent health and well-being,” said Nadia Al-Lami, PNP, the adolescent health director at Santa Cruz Community Health. “Through collaborative efforts and evidence-based interventions, we are striving to be part of the solution to the opioid crisis affecting our youth.”
Santa Cruz Community Health has clinics at 1510 Capitola Road in Live Oak, Ben Lomond and downtown Santa Cruz. Recent initiatives include training the clinical team to provide sensitive services, conducting psychosocial and mental health screenings, and connecting patients to resources.
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