New Santa Cruz County Program Enlists Paramedics in Fight Against Opioids

SANTA CRUZ — Local public health officials are banding with colleagues from neighboring counties to bolster the response to the ongoing opioid crisis.

Santa Cruz County Emergency Medical Services, in collaboration with officials from Monterey and San Benito counties, has launched a new program aimed at expanding the distribution of the opioid treatment drug buprenorphine by emergency responders with the goal of reducing overdoses.

"Every day, our (Emergency Medical Services) providers encounter patients suffering from opioid use disorder, either in overdose or in the throes of withdrawal. Many of these community members do not have access to traditional medical care and often their only encounter with health care professionals is through (Emergency Medical Services)," said Dr. Lisa Hernandez, Santa Cruz County health officer, in a county release.

The lifesaving overdose reversal drug naloxone, widely known by its brand name Narcan, remains a key component of the opioid response and was recently approved for over-the-counter purchases in March. But it does not address the underlying demand for opioids that has fueled the epidemic.

According to the release, buprenorphine can lower the risk of overdose fatalities by 50% by helping to reduce opioid withdrawal and cravings, similar to methadone, and is the most effective treatment for opioid use disorder. It can be administered via tablets, sublingual film, or injectable formulations, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

"The opioid epidemic continues to ravage communities across the nation, including Santa Cruz County," said Emergency Medical Services Director and Deputy Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. David Ghilarducci. "Expanding access to buprenorphine is part of the County's aim to reduce fentanyl and other drug-related deaths."

In the first State of Health virtual town hall last month, recently retired Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel said fentanyl-related overdose deaths have been on the rise in the county since 2018.

According to Stephany Fiore, a forensic pathologist with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff-Coroner's Office, the county experienced two fentanyl-related overdose deaths in 2018, five in 2019, 20 in 2020, 42 in 2021, and 65 in 2022.

Of the 66 drug-related deaths from January to June this year, 53 have been fentanyl-related overdoses, according to preliminary data from Fiore.

The new program, which launched July 13, will allow paramedics to administer buprenorphine to certain patients in opioid withdrawal while they are being transported to a hospital. These patients will later be connected to long-term treatment programs, according to the release.

Officials say providing the medication as soon as possible can relieve withdrawal symptoms and also make a successful recovery from addiction more likely.

"We are excited that paramedics will have the training and tools necessary to administer buprenorphine in the field," said Santa Cruz County Emergency Medical Services Senior Health Services Manager Greg Benson. "By proactively addressing opioid dependence as early as possible, even during a 911 response, we can save lives and connect individuals with addiction to the resources they need to achieve lasting recovery."

Members of the public who are interested or know someone who is interested in addiction treatment services are advised to contact their medical provider. Those without a medical provider can call Santa Cruz County Substance Use Disorder Services at 800-952-2335 or Substance Abuse and the Mental Health Services Administration's national helpline at 800-662-4357.

Fentanyl-related deaths

Fentanyl-related overdose deaths in Santa Cruz County since 2018.

Year deaths

2018 2

2019 5

2020 20

2021 42

2022 65

Source: Santa Cruz County Sheriff-Coroner's Office and Sentinel research.

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