Addiction in Oxnard
Oxnard is a city on the coast of California. With the largest population in Ventura County, Oxnard is more likely to be suffering from the opioid epidemic over smaller cities and towns in the area. While this is true, Ventura County as a whole has seen an uptick in residents suffering from addiction to both prescribed and illicit substances.
Within Oxnard and across the rest of Ventura County, the opioid deaths jumped from 55 in 2016 to 92 the following year. That climb includes an increase in the number of heroin and fentanyl deaths as well.
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Opioids and Overdose in Oxnard
Of the 92 deaths that were cause by Opioids in Ventura County in 2017, 37 of them were caused by heroin, and 22 were from fentanyl. The deaths from fentanyl were nearly tripled from the year prior. This is a clear representation of the greater opioid epidemic that is sweeping the country. With nearly 100 people dying from opioid overdose in 2017, that brings the death-rate up to 13.7 per 100,000 people, higher than the California average.
While opioids make up the vast majority of deaths from drugs in Ventura County, deaths from other drugs grew across the board. Deaths from benzodiazepines, methamphetamine, and alcohol all grew exponentially, over 60% in total, from 71 to 115. The category of drug-related deaths that fell were cocaine, from 12 deaths in 2016 to 7 in 2017.
Fighting the Opioid Epidemic in Oxnard
Oxnard and Ventura County aren’t taking the rise in opioid deaths sitting down. County officials are pushing for a statewide database that can identify people who are seeking multiple prescriptions from multiple doctors. The practice, commonly referred to as doctor-shopping, is used when someone is either suffering from an addiction to a specific opioid or a dealer looking to sell the pills illegally. This database would be able to track individuals who may be abusing the system or not disclosing what medications they are already receiving. This is also handy for individuals who may be taking conflicting prescriptions without realizing it. It is common for someone who is seeing multiple specialists to receive multiple prescriptions without thinking about it. This also makes those people more likely to develop an addiction, especially when they are taking stacked opioids.
County officials are also trying to limit the opioids that are prescribed in emergency rooms, as studies show that people addicted to a prescribed opioid are 40 times more likely to develop an addiction to heroin. Officials are also working to distribute more “rescue kits.” Included in these kits is naloxone, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses. 2,000 of these kits have been distributed and 146 doses of naloxone have been administered across Oxnard in 2017, over a third of what has been administered across all of Ventura County.
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Oxnard Statistics
40
times
People who become addicted to a prescribed opioid are 40 times more likely to later become addicted to heroin.
92
deaths
92 people died from opioid-related causes in Ventura County in 2017.
146
doses
In the city of Oxnard, 146 doses of naloxone were administered to people suffering from an opioid overdose.
Treatment in Oxnard
For people living in the state of California, if there isn’t a treatment facility in their city, there are dozens within proximity to most cities. The long stretch of coast and beautiful weather makes it an ideal choice for many who are seeking recovery. However, seeking treatment in the same community, or even environment, of where the addiction was born can be too difficult for people looking for a change in their life.
If you or someone you love are looking for treatment, but don’t know where to start, then reach out to a dedicated treatment provider. They’re available to answer any questions you may have about recovery.
