San Rafael, CA – Opioid drug overdoses are up 14% in Marin County so far in 2021 relative to the same period a year ago, and doctors with Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) attribute the surge to added stress from the COVID-19 pandemic. Drug overdose remains the leading cause of accidental death in Marin.
Marion Kregeloh became a Marin Angel Mom after the 2020 death of her son, Alex, by overdose.It’s a startling fact that Marin’s Angel Moms want to change. They all lost sons to fentanyl poisonings in the past few years. Marion Kregeloh is one, and she does not want to see her group grow its membership.
“By design, teens seek risks and explore their edges,” she said. “And today's youth are exposed to increased drugs and substances through a world of increased mental health challenges, with an epidemic of psychiatric drugs and opioids, and increased peer pressures. Hence, youth risk-seeking is more dangerous because drugs have become accessible and even normalized.”
The Marin County Board of Supervisors proclaimed October 2021 as Prescription Drug Take Back Month at its September 21 meeting. Drug drop-off sites are open year-round at Marin pharmacies and law enforcement offices. Free and anonymous drug take-back kiosks are open during the facility’s regular hours of operation. Medications are accepted in their original containers or a sealed bag. A full list of the 30 locations is available on the RxSafe Marin website.
The 19-month-old public health emergency has increased anxiety among all populations and in nearly all locations around the world. Locally, there are the economic pressures of living in an expensive area, tensions about school and jobs, constant threats of wildfires, smoke, power outages, and earthquakes. In desperation, many individuals may turn to substances to relieve that stress.
HHS’ Dr. Jeff DeVido, noting that mental health is affected by one’s environment, said that the stresses of the past couple of years can increase one’s vulnerability to substance use and misuse. To manage difficult situations, some people may be tempted to take old prescription medications, or friends of family may be tempted to share their own medications. Ready availability of old and/or unused medications increases the likelihood of misuse. Additionally, misuse may not be a intentional decision. For example, a confused or disoriented individual (such as a person who wakes up during the night) might inadvertently take more of their prescribed medication than they should or take the wrong medication. Or a toddler may accidentally ingest an unused medication thinking it is candy or a toy. Or visitors may rifle through someone’s medicine cabinet.
“We can help eliminate tragic loss of lives through the disposal of unneeded and unused drugs,” DeVido said. “I say it every year because it remains true: Safe disposal saves lives.”
Perhaps due to the pandemic, collection of unneeded medications decreased 15% in 2020 from the previous year, so Kregeloh has issued a challenge: “I urge all parents to empty out their medicine cabinets and safely lock up their needed prescriptions,” she said. “Don't invite drug-seeking behaviors. And, invite a conversation. Kids need to know that drugs have their place for medically prescribed conditions but can be dangerous for kids and teens. Let's begin to shift our culture one family at a time.”
RxSafe Marin is a local grassroots community initiative tackling what’s described as an epidemic of opioid-related overdoses. The collaboration between concerned community members, Marin HHS, and professionals from many other County departments works to limit the public health risk posed by prescription medications by promoting safe prescribing by clinicians and increasing opportunities for safe disposal of unused and unwanted medications.
Connect via email with RxSafe’s team to volunteer or sign up for the quarterly newsletter.