4 episodes
Fentanyl Empire: The Inland Empire's Latest Drug Crisis RCC Viewpoints - Fentanyl Empire
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- News
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3.8 • 6 Ratings
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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?
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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/ -
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/ -
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/ -
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/
Customer Reviews
My honest opinion
I hear some parents make excuses for their children. One father says it was her daughter’s boyfriend’s birthday, and they bought cocaine to celebrate, but then died of a Fentanyl overdose. How is it ok to celebrate a birthday with cocaine? And the father was a retired cop. I just get tired of hearing excuses. People need to take responsibility for their behavior.