Three San Joaquin County Public Health Services vending machines are now offering free naloxone across Stockton.
County health officials said that in the past five years there has been an increase in overdose deaths with the presence of fentanyl in the illicit drug supply.
In 2023, there were more than 140 fentanyl-related overdoses, and in 2022, there were 87 fentanyl-related overdoses, said Rachel Zerbo, public health educator with the San Joaquin County Opioid Safety Coalition. In 2021, there were 48 deaths from fentanyl overdoses in San Joaquin County.
“Naloxone is the opioid overdose reversal drug,” Zerbo said. “If someone is experiencing an overdose on any opioid, which would be oxycontin or any other prescription pain relievers, fake pills that are being sold on the street as prescription medication like fentanyl, or heroin or other drugs, then this drug, if given in a timely manner, can reverse the opioid overdose.”
“Fentanyl overdose rates have increased by 58% since between 2022 to 2023,” Zerbo said.