Families seeking more information on the drug fentanyl and the recent health alert issued by the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s office due to an increase in suspected fentanyl-related deaths can attend an upcoming event being hosted by the Turlock Unified School District’s Family Resource Center.
A Family Information Night on the fentanyl crisis will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at Turlock Junior High School.
“The TUSD Family Resource Center is hosting a Family Information Night that will provide parents with valuable information about what fentanyl is, its risks, and how it is impacting our community,” said Marie Russell, TUSD Director of Communications, Family Engagement & Outreach.
According to statistics provided by Stanislaus County Sheriff Jeff Dirkse, the county coroner’s office has confirmed 82 fentanyl-related drug overdoses since Jan. 1. The total number of overdoses, which includes other types of opioids and other drugs, is currently at 133 deaths.
“Understanding the risks associated with fentanyl can help parents take proactive measures to protect their children,” Russell added.
The Family Information Night will include a dinner courtesy of La Morenita in Ceres. Dinner will be followed by presentations on the fentanyl crisis from local experts and the Better for Bella campaign. Nearly 20 community agencies will be in attendance, including several who provide support for substance use. The presentations will feature mature content regarding poisoning and overdose. Additionally, free Narcan will be handed out to guests. Narcan is a drug used to treat opioid overdose and can reverse life-threatening effects that happen when someone overdoses on an opioid, including fentanyl. Training on the use of Narcan will be provided by Jennifer Marsh of Stanislaus County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS).
In addition, the Turlock Police Activities League has donated $200 worth of gift cards that will be raffled off to guests.
Translation headsets and childcare will be available during the event.
Thursday’s event will be a community meeting hosted by TUSD focusing on the synthetic opioid. On Nov. 3 of last year, a town hall was held at the Turlock Community Theatre. As a member of the Stanislaus County Opioid Safety Coalition, TUSD has also had secondary students watch presentations on fentanyl and the opioid crisis.
“Awareness and education are the initial steps to prevention,” said BHRS director Tony Vartan earlier this year. “We continue to use the input and expertise of our Opioid Safety Coalition to look at data and national approaches to add to our ongoing strategies. We all have a shared responsibility to protect our community.”
Any questions regarding the information night can be sent to Russell at mrussell@turlock.k12.ca.us or (209) 667-0632 Ext. 2004. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP at bit.ly/FRC1012.
Community members are also encouraged to attend Stanislaus County Opioid Safety Coalition meetings, which take place every second Thursday of each month.
More information on fentanyl, opioid addiction resources and on Stanislaus County’s response to the crisis can be found at www.StanRx.net or by calling BHRS Prevention Services at 209-525-5316. If you or someone you care about is struggling with substance use, call the Stanislaus County BHRS Access, Crisis & Support line at 1-888-376-6246.
