Observing International Overdose Awareness Day

CDCR and CCHCS staff across the state did their part to observe International Overdose Awareness Day. In late August and early September, staff championed the 2024 theme “Together we can,” highlighting the power of our united community.

International Overdose Awareness Day is recognized worldwide to bring awareness and solutions for preventable drug overdose death.

Staff across the state held informational events to spread powerful messages about overdose awareness and recovery. They also celebrated the missions of the jointly operated Integrated Substance Use Disorder Treatment (ISUDT) Program.

Each event was unique, but they all had the same goal to #EndOverdose.

The campaign raised awareness for one of the world’s worst public health crises and focused on evidence-based overdose prevention strategies. It also acknowledged the profound grief felt by families and friends whose loved ones have died or suffered permanent injury from a drug overdose.

By supporting all communities, staff rallied to ensure incarcerated populations and CDCR/CCHCS staff and their families would be aware of the effects of drugs and how to prevent drug overdose.

Institutions mark International Overdose Awareness Day

Many of the institutions shared news of their inspiring events, compiled below:

California State Prison, Corcoran (COR)

Watch the video (story continues below):

Skateboarders from Fresno Skateboard Salvage were wheels-down in Corcoran, showcasing an exhibition on CSP-Corcoran’s B yard hosted by ISUDT staff. Participants listened to testimonials from Facility B Bootcamp. These incarcerated men champion recovery by holding themselves accountable and growing as a community.

Staff also shared messages of overdose awareness, encouraging participants to remember those lost to overdose by committing their name to a purple ribbon, alongside others who were honored.

ISUDT staff also supported the Fresno Skateboard Salvage efforts to donate skateboards to youth in the community.

Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison

Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison (SATF) held a two-hour long outdoor IOAD event. This included staff and population speakers, printed resources, and demonstrations on how and when to use Narcan. The event included an engaged question-and-answer session with participants and subject matter experts. It also featured a live performance by the SATF band.

Centinela State Prison

Staff at Centinela promoted International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) by hosting a luncheon for their ISUDT program. This included the premier of an informational video on overdose awareness, including leadership throughout the institution and compelling ISUDT/IOAD themes and messages. The video has been met with overwhelmingly positive reviews statewide.

Watch the video on Vimeo (may not play on a state computer): https://vimeo.com/1019993875/978ed41085?share=copy

California Medical Facility

Staff at California Medical Facility in Vacaville held an active event inside a facility gymnasium. Activities included basketball trivia, Nintendo Wii dancing, Peer Support Specialist Program (PSSP) booths, ISUDT booths, and even a drawing led by the warden. The event also included a recovery trivia in the style of the popular game show, “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” The mock game show was hosted by participants of the Occupational Mentor Certification Program, a valuable event partner.

Wasco State Prison

CDCR staff at Wasco State Prison-Reception Center received snacks and swag at a popular event that included ISUDT/IOAD messaging and prizes for answers to related questions. The event gave away bags, water bottles, pens, bracelets, and stickers.

California State Prison, Los Angeles County

California State Prison, Los Angeles County used their event to provide education to yards where the information was most needed. Amity Foundation staff spoke alongside CDCR/CCHCS staff in a collaborative event supported by the Nurse-Led Therapeutic Group. The institution also held an appreciation and engagement event for staff. They provided refreshments, education, and gratitude to those who have responded to overdose alarms and have worked to end overdose and mortality.

Salinas Valley State Prison

At SVSP, staff shared flyers and educational material with the incarcerated population via tables. ISUDT ambassadors also made a presentation to the SVSP Steering Committee.

Pleasant Valley State Prison

Thanks to donations from community organizations, the PVSP staff hosted a prison-wide carnival on all yards, including snow cones, popcorn machines, video games, a photo wall, and more. Health care staff on site also discussed the benefits of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for the incarcerated community. Participants also enjoyed live music from the PVSP band.

California Rehabilitation Center

At California Rehabilitation Center in Norco, the Ambassador team was stationed at staff entrances to distribute overdose information flyers and SUD resources. They had Narcan on display and explained how to use it and where staff can pick it up. Purple ribbons and snack bags were also handed out to raise awareness and share overdose info.

Staff later took to the main yard with tables, a canopy, and posters. On the posters, purple paper ribbons were attached, so the population could write messages or the names of loved ones who were lost to overdose.

“This was our first event for (population), and it involved custody support which was invaluable,” an ambassador said.

Valley State Prison

The institution provided snacks, donuts, and coffee, while sharing information on the Ambassador program, ISUDT, and IOAD. The event united the entire Valley State Prison community to promote ending overdose.

Kern Valley State Prison

Kern Valley saw excellent buy-in across the facility, with walk through visits on the main clinic, staff surveys on opioids and fentanyl, emails to staff members to raise awareness, and a concentrated effort on the most impacted yards to remember those lost to overdose.

Ambassadors said the event featured “A sea of purple” as staff were encouraged to wear the color in support of IOAD.

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California Men’s Colony

CMC went yard-to-yard with large Narcan props to host demonstration on how to use the life-saving overdose reversal medicine for staff and the population. The event celebrated IOAD and ISUDT themes and championed CMC’s collective fight to #EndOverdose.

Sierra Conservation Center

On Saturday, Aug. 31, Sierra Conservation Center held their IOAD event where they provided root beer floats for all staff attendees. IOAD poster contests were also held on the three yards, and each winner won a dozen donuts.

California Health Care Facility, Stockton

The PSSP program and Resource RN partnered to share information and education on ISUDT, IOAD, and the use of Narcan with a collaborative information booth with staff and the population.

Folsom State Prison

The ISUDT office at Folsom State Prison organized an informational booth on the main yard to raise awareness of the dangers of overdose from Aug. 26-30. Education materials were available, and staff answered questions asked by the incarcerated population. Printed material for the Peer Support Specialist Program were provided and brought a lot of interest and attention from the incarcerated population to the booth.

Avenal State Prison

Avenal State Prison held an ISUDT and IOAD fair in Facility C Aug. 29 including buy-in and participation from custody, administration, and health care partners. Purple ribbons were handed out to staff and incarcerated people, who joined a walk around on the yard for IOAD and victims of overdose, ISUDT, and HCV infection control. The event included PSSP booths, printed handouts, and Narcan education. Staff also handed out Narcan with that education.

Submitted by Ike Dodson, information officer II
California Correctional Health Care Services

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