California Takes Action

California is taking action to address the opioid crisis, including the drug fentanyl. Under Governor Newsom, the state is spending over $1 billion on a plan to:

• Crack down on illegal opioids through law enforcement.
  
• Prevent opioid misuse through education and outreach.
  
• Provide treatment and recovery services for people experiencing opioid use disorders.
  

The goal is to support Californians struggling with opioid misuse and reduce the harms caused by these drugs across the state. The plan includes many strategies to deal with all aspects of the opioid epidemic.

Learn more about Governor Newsom's master plan for tackling​ the fentanyl and opioid crisis.​​​

Partnerships

We’re working with all levels of governments, as well as universities and research facilities, to address prevention, enforcement and treatment:

Prevention

California Overdose Prevention Network (COPN)

COPN’s mission is to build a movement to strengthen connections within communities and provide access to knowledge, training and resources to implement solutions that save lives.

Enforcement

High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program
The federal Drug Enforcement Administration coordinates and assists federal, state, local and Tribal law agencies to address regional drug threats with the purpose of reducing drug trafficking and drug production in the United States.

Fentanyl Enforcement Program
Nearly $15 million has been allocated to establish the Fentanyl Enforcement Program within the California Department of Justice, aimed at combating the manufacturing, distribution and trafficking of fentanyl.

The California Highway Patrol is working collaboratively with multiple state entities and agencies, including CalGuard and the California Department of Justice, as well as federal and local entities like Border Patrol and local police and district attorneys to focus on improving public safety, targeting fentanyl trafficking and holding the operators of drug trafficking rings accountable.

These operations build on the Master Plan, which includes an expansion of CalGuard-supported operations that last year led to a 549% increase (PDF) in seized fentanyl and historic levels of funding—$1 billion statewide—to crack down on the crisis and assist those struggling with substance use.

Treatment

Tribal Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Project
The Tribal MAT Program aims to improve MAT access for urban and tribal communities by increasing the total number of waivered prescribers certified and providing expanded MAT services that incorporate the values and culture of the communities being served.

Systems of Care Learning Collaborative
A multi-sectoral, county-specific intensive process improvement and Technical Assistance (TA) programming on expanding access to MAT and the full continuum of care. This in-person, two-day facilitated event and ongoing coaching map out the local ecosystem and identify gaps, where criminal justice and law enforcement partners collaborate with health system partners.​​

Highlights of our work

We’re working in partnership with communities, families and people with opioid use disorder to prevent substance use, mitigate harm from drugs and provide life-saving strategies.

Opioid Prevention and Education Campaign 
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is working to raise awareness of fentanyl among youth and young adults to prevent overdose and overdose death. This campaign uses a stigma-free approach to raise awareness among families and communities, empowering them to respond to the overdose epidemic with life-saving solutions and strategies. 

Song for Charlie: Fentanyl Awareness and Drug Education Program 
This online learning hub equips California families with actionable information and tools that may help parents keep California’s youth safe from harm and facilitate open conversations about mental health, substances and the heightened risks associated with self-medication caused by the emergence of synthetic drugs like fentanyl in the street drug supply. 

Young People in Recovery 

ATLAS Treatment Locator 

CA Bridge Program​ 

Substance Use Disorder Provider Workforce Training 

Naloxone Distribution Project ​

Communication Toolkits

​Communication is crucial in addressing the opioid crisis and raising awareness about prevention, treatment and recovery resources. The following toolkits provide materials that public health professionals, healthcare providers, community organizations and others can utilize to spread vital information through various channels.

Fentanyl & Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit​

This toolkit provides resources to raise awareness about the dangers of fentanyl and prevent opioid overdoses. It aims to educate the public on fentanyl risks, signs of overdose and access to naloxone and treatment.​

This toolkit helps colleges implement the Campus Opioid Safety Act by providing resources to educate students about opioid overdoses. It covers recognizing overdose signs, using naloxone, promoting good samaritan laws and warning about fentanyl's dangers through fact sheets and videos.