Marin Fentanyl Crisis Triggers Summit

MARIN COUNTY, CA — Marin will hold an overdose prevention summit next week amid a fentanyl crisis that has the county on track for record fatalities.

The summit is scheduled for 4 p.m. Tuesday (Nov. 15) at Embassy Suites in San Rafael (101 McInnis Parkway). Online registration is open for this free event but space is limited.

The summit is being jointly presented by Marin County Public Health and RxSafe Marin.

The event will feature a gathering of agencies, community members, parents, and school leadership to end preventable overdoses in Marin.

Marin leaders will update the public on the overdose epidemic and will endeavor to shape the county’s 2023 goals in five breakout sessions: Education and Outreach, Youth Action Team, Justice System, Health Equity, and Intervention, Treatment and Recovery. Attendees will be invited to partner with one of these action teams after the event. Speakers with lived experience are scheduled to reinforce the human impact of the epidemic and the experience of recovery.

“Together we will set an agenda for a countywide action to flatten the curve on overdose deaths,” said Dr. Matt Willis, Marin County Public Health Officer and a scheduled speaker at the summit.

Marin overdose deaths have more than doubled since 2018, county officials said.

The trend is driven primarily by fentanyl, an illicit opioid that is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. Fentanyl is often used to spike other illicit drugs. Combining fentanyl with prescription medicines or other opioids make existing drug more lethal.

Face coverings will be optional at the summit. Light refreshments will be provided, and hotel parking is free and plentiful.

Questions may be directed to info@rxsafemarin.org.