Story and Photos By Jondi Gumz
When I went to Watsonville Hospital’s International Overdose Awareness Day event on Aug. 31, I wasn’t expecting much in the way of resources.
The Santa Cruz County Office of Education offers free Narcan to reverse fentanyl overdose.
Fentanyl overdoses have tripled, 65 in 2022 in Santa Cruz County, but from what I knew, not much help is available.
However, the resource fair in Watsonville was impressive: 21 tables.
Encompass, which offers counseling on drugs and drinking for youth and adults and a 30-bed residential program for 30-90 days with cognitive behavioral therapy.
Janus of Santa Cruz, residential drug and alcohol treatment for adults and a separate program for women pregnant or parenting, with cognitive behavioral treatment.
The Camp, privately owned, in Scotts Valley, residential drug treatment for teens and adults
Lisa Marquez of Gilroy lost her son, Fernando Sanchez, to fentanyl at 17.
Friday Night Live, youth leadership at local high schools.
Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley, which pointed out the brain needs fiber, healthy fats and Vitamin E to stay healthy.
Santa Cruz Community Health, with a newish location in Ben Lonond.
Santa Cruz County Office of Education, which has free Naloxone to reverse a fentanyl overdose.
American Addiction Centers, a publicly traded company with a national network and a treatment center in Orange County.
Aiden Fuller talks about recovery: “If you fall, you just have to get back up.”
Watsonville Community Hospital: Free Narcan in the emergency room and Ashlee DeHerrera, is the substance use navigator, your guide and advocate with compassion.
One of the leaders is Edgar Castellanos, who came from a broken home, experienced trauma, and by age 10, turned to crime, gangs, and drugs.
“I know that vicious cycle,” he said.
He was living in the streets.
At 17, his life turned around.
Why?
Encompass staff Sage Smiley, William Norteye, Chris Brown & Kristie Brenda are ready to help. Smiley is manager of youth substance disorder treatment, Norteye is senior manager of adult outpatient services, Brown is peer MAT specialist, and Brenda is senior manager of health and housing.
“God, to be honest,” he said.
Now he’s reaching out to troubled youth, meeting them where they’re at.
“I just want to make a difference,” he said.
One big problem with fentanyl is that it is so powerful, one dose can kill a first-timer.
Here’s another big problem: When people feel anxious or want to party, they order drugs online but they never actually order fentanyl.
The deadly fentanyl is so cheap to make, dealers mix it into Xanax or Percocet pills to boost profits. Customers never know … often it’s too late.
Andres Galvan is a caseworker at Watsonville Health Center.
Perhaps fentanyl overdoses should be recategorized as fentanyl poisoning.
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How can you tell if someone you know is overdosing?
- The person is dizzy.
- The pupils of the eye are extremely small.
- The person makes choking or gurgling sounds.
- The person’s breathing is slow or absent.
- The person cannot be woken up.
- The person’s skin is cold.
- The person’s lip and nails are discolored.
Maisy Morrison (left) and Amanda Mahan field an inquiry for Janus of Santa Cruz
What to do:
- Call 911 immediately.
- Give breath, one breath every 5 seconds.
- Use naloxone nasal spray if you have it.
- More than one dose of naloxone may be needed.
You have legal protection from civil liability if you act in good faith and provide care at the scene of an emergency.
Top Picture: Edgar Castellanos of Youth Recovery Connections, meets Hillary Brandt, chief nursing officer at The Camp.
Remembrance tree: Those lost to overdose are not forgotten.