Fentanyl Awareness Forum comes to Victorville

The Institute of Public Strategies will partner with the city of Victorville to host a free Fentanyl Awareness Forum.

The forum is scheduled at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 7, at Victorville City Hall, and will feature a panel of experts who will share their insights and experiences on the opioid epidemic.

Speakers will share the effects of opioids on the community, with a focus on fentanyl, its dangers, and preventative measures.

Panelists include:

• Alex Cordova with the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health
• Deputy Greg Jones with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department
• Takisha Williams with Aegis Treatment Centers
• Antoinette Jackson with the Symba Center at The Victorville Wellness Center

Additionally, Steve Filson with the organization V.O.I.D. will speak.

VOID was formed to bring attention , through education, awareness and legislative advocacy, to the danger of sudden death associated with the use of illicit drugs, in particular fentanyl and other emerging synthetic compounds, VOID officials stated.

"'We encourage anyone interested in learning more about the opioid epidemic and what resources are available to attend," institute officials said. "Whether you are seeking help for yourself or a loved one or simply interested in learning more and would like to receive a free box of Narcan, this event is for you."

The ‘Fourth Wave’

Psychology Today cites Millennium Health, a national drug-testing company, for its study dubbed “The Fourth Wave” of the opioid crisis.

The three previous waves were driven by prescription opioids, then heroin, and fentanyl. The fourth and current wave involves using opioids such as fentanyl combined with other lethal substances, including methamphetamines, cocaine, and xylazine, the study revealed.

The Millenium Health report is based on 4.1 million urine samples collected from people receiving drug addiction care between 2013 and 2023. Of the fentanyl-positive urine samples collected, 93% contained other illicit substances as well. In 2023, 60% of fentanyl-positive samples contained methamphetamine, the report found.

A potent, highly addictive stimulant that is fully capable of causing a lethal overdose all by itself, meth becomes even more dangerous and unpredictable when mixed with depressants like fentanyl and heroin, according to the study.

Victorville City Hall is located at 14343 Civic Drive.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Fentanyl Awareness Forum comes to Victorville