Fentanyl Empire: The Inland Empire's Latest Drug Crisis

RCC Viewpoints - Fentanyl Empire
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  • NEWS
Fentanyl Empire: The Inland Empire's Latest Drug Crisis

Fentanyl, a drug that has been running rampant within the United States, is becoming a serious issue within the Inland Empire. The region that once was called “The Meth Capital of the World” now fears that fentanyl will cause another drug epidemic. Riverside City College Viewpoints journalists, in partnership with California Humanities through the Democracy and Informed Citizen Emerging Journalist Fellowship Program, looked to answer three questions: 1) How is the drug entering the region? 2) What does fentanyl do to a person who consumes it? 3) What solutions does the Inland Empire have?

Episodes

  1. 07/01/2022

    01: "From Smugglers to Social Media"

    The Inland Empire, or IE, has a long history with drugs and addiction. This has allowed fentanyl, to easily creep into the IE's drug market and this episode explains the different ways fentanyl has entered the community. Resources: SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline Confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Crisis Text Line: Text “Home” to 741741 or https://www.crisistextline.org/ Crisis Text Line is meant for any crisis. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from their secure online platform. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you  move from a hot moment to a cool moment. Never Use Alone Hotline: 800-484-3731 or https://neverusealone.com/ If you are going to use by yourself, call this number. You will be asked for your first name, location, and the number you are calling from. An operator will stay on the line with you while you use. If you stop responding after using, the operator will notify emergency services of an "unresponsive person" at your location. Riverside County Cares Hotline: 800-499-3008 If you need someone to talk to, are concerned about someone, need help finding a local resource, or assistance navigating treatment options contact the CARES Line 24/7 for free and confidential local help. Assistance available in English and Spanish. Connect IE: https://www.connectie.org/ Search for free or reduced cost services using this search tool. Website: https://viewpointsonline.org/2022/06/24/fentanyl-empire/

    26 min

  2. 07/01/2022

    02: "A Chronic Relapsing Disease"

    Fentanyl, like any other drug, can create an addiction. This episode explains how fentanyl affects the body and the root causes of addiction. Resources: SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline Confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Crisis Text Line: Text “Home” to 741741 or https://www.crisistextline.org/ Crisis Text Line is meant for any crisis. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from their secure online platform. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you  move from a hot moment to a cool moment. Never Use Alone Hotline: 800-484-3731 or https://neverusealone.com/ If you are going to use by yourself, call this number. You will be asked for your first name, location, and the number you are calling from. An operator will stay on the line with you while you use. If you stop responding after using, the operator will notify emergency services of an "unresponsive person" at your location. Riverside County Cares Hotline: 800-499-3008 If you need someone to talk to, are concerned about someone, need help finding a local resource, or assistance navigating treatment options contact the CARES Line 24/7 for free and confidential local help. Assistance available in English and Spanish. Connect IE: https://www.connectie.org/ Search for free or reduced cost services using this search tool. Website: https://viewpointsonline.org/2022/06/24/fentanyl-empire/

    31 min

  3. 07/01/2022

    03: "Where Does the Empire Go From Here?"

    Fentanyl has entered the region and now two paths on how to mitigate the crisis have appeared. Elected officials want to punish dealers while public and behavioral health employees are advocating for harm reduction tactics. Resources: SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline Confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Crisis Text Line: Text “Home” to 741741 or https://www.crisistextline.org/ Crisis Text Line is meant for any crisis. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from their secure online platform. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you  move from a hot moment to a cool moment. Never Use Alone Hotline: 800-484-3731 or https://neverusealone.com/ If you are going to use by yourself, call this number. You will be asked for your first name, location, and the number you are calling from. An operator will stay on the line with you while you use. If you stop responding after using, the operator will notify emergency services of an "unresponsive person" at your location. Riverside County Cares Hotline: 800-499-3008 If you need someone to talk to, are concerned about someone, need help finding a local resource, or assistance navigating treatment options contact the CARES Line 24/7 for free and confidential local help. Assistance available in English and Spanish. Connect IE: https://www.connectie.org/ Search for free or reduced cost services using this search tool. Website: https://viewpointsonline.org/2022/06/24/fentanyl-empire/

    29 min

  4. 06/25/2022

    00: "An Empire of Addiction"

    An introduction to a Viewpoints investigative project about the growing fentanyl epidemic within the Inland Empire. Resources: SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline Confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Crisis Text Line: Text “Home” to 741741 or https://www.crisistextline.org/ Crisis Text Line is meant for any crisis. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from their secure online platform. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you  move from a hot moment to a cool moment. Never Use Alone Hotline: 800-484-3731 or https://neverusealone.com/ If you are going to use by yourself, call this number. You will be asked for your first name, location, and the number you are calling from. An operator will stay on the line with you while you use. If you stop responding after using, the operator will notify emergency services of an "unresponsive person" at your location. Riverside County Cares Hotline: 800-499-3008 If you need someone to talk to, are concerned about someone, need help finding a local resource, or assistance navigating treatment options contact the CARES Line 24/7 for free and confidential local help. Assistance available in English and Spanish. Connect IE: https://www.connectie.org/ Search for free or reduced cost services using this search tool. Website: https://viewpointsonline.org/2022/06/24/fentanyl-empire/

    4 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

3.8
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Fentanyl, a drug that has been running rampant within the United States, is becoming a serious issue within the Inland Empire. The region that once was called “The Meth Capital of the World” now fears that fentanyl will cause another drug epidemic. Riverside City College Viewpoints journalists, in partnership with California Humanities through the Democracy and Informed Citizen Emerging Journalist Fellowship Program, looked to answer three questions: 1) How is the drug entering the region? 2) What does fentanyl do to a person who consumes it? 3) What solutions does the Inland Empire have?

Information

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