Latest news with #MichelleJorden
San Francisco Chronicle
03-05-2025
- Health
- San Francisco Chronicle
Bay Area county reports first death from carfentanil, a drug 100 times more potent than fentanyl
Santa Clara County has confirmed its first fatal overdose linked to carfentanil, a synthetic opioid that experts say is up to 100 times more potent than fentanyl and 10,000 times stronger than morphine. The Office of the Medical Examiner reported last week that a 39-year-old man was found deceased with M30 pills, counterfeit tablets made to resemble prescription oxycodone, that tested positive for carfentanil. The incident marks a grim milestone in the region's opioid crisis and raises new concerns over the spread of ultrapotent fentanyl analogs in street drugs. 'Fake pills look real, but they can be deadly,' said Dr. Michelle Jorden, Santa Clara County's chief medical examiner. 'People should not take any pill that they did not buy from the pharmacy.' Carfentanil, once used to tranquilize elephants, is not approved for human use and is considered lethal even in minute quantities. Public health officials warn that drugs sold on the street — often disguised as oxycodone, Xanax or Norco — may contain carfentanil or related compounds. 'We believe that every life matters and no one should die of an overdose,' said Dr. Akanksha Vaidya, assistant health officer for the county's harm reduction program. 'That's why we offer evidence-based harm reduction services proven to reduce the risks of overdose.' Officials are urging residents to carry naloxone (Narcan), an opioid-reversal drug, and to use fentanyl test strips when possible. Santa Clara County is offering free naloxone kits by mail and access to treatment programs through the Behavioral Health Call Center at 800-704-0900 or the 988 mental health crisis line. What to know about carfentanil What is carfentanil? Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid originally developed in the 1970s for use as a tranquilizer for elephants and other large mammals. It is not approved for human consumption. The drug is estimated to be 100 times more potent than fentanyl and approximately 10,000 times more powerful than morphine. How does carfentanil end up in street drugs? Carfentanil is often mixed with other drugs or pressed into counterfeit pills that mimic prescription opioids like oxycodone (often stamped as M30), Xanax or Norco. Users typically have no way of knowing whether their drugs contain carfentanil, which greatly increases the risk of overdose and death. Why is carfentanil so dangerous? Even microscopic amounts of carfentanil can cause fatal respiratory depression. Its extreme potency means it can kill even opioid-tolerant individuals, and exposure through skin contact or accidental inhalation is a risk for first responders and users alike, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The drug can appear in many forms — powder, blotter paper, tablets, patches or spray — and may resemble substances like cocaine or heroin. Can an overdose from carfentanil be reversed? Yes, but it often requires multiple, high-dose administrations of naloxone (Narcan), an opioid antagonist. In overdose situations, naloxone should be given every 2–3 minutes until the person is breathing on their own or emergency services arrive. What should I do in an overdose emergency? Call 911 immediately. If naloxone is available, administer it right away. Stay with the person and monitor their breathing until help arrives. What are the signs of opioid overdose? Signs include slowed or stopped breathing, extreme drowsiness or unresponsiveness, pinpoint pupils, blue lips or fingertips and cold, clammy skin. How can people protect themselves? Handling suspected carfentanil requires extreme caution. Only specially trained law enforcement professionals should manage these substances. If you encounter a suspicious powder or pill — especially something resembling cocaine, heroin or prescription opioids — do not touch or disturb it. Instead, secure the area and contact the appropriate authorities. Approved procedures for transportation and analysis are essential to prevent accidental poisonings.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
1st Santa Clara County overdose death of carfentanil, 100x more potent than fentanyl
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, Calif. - The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed the county's first overdose death from carfentanil, an opioid approximately 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl. County health officials identified the victim as a 39-year-old man who was found dead with counterfeit M30 pills made to look like prescription oxycodone. Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid that is not approved for human consumption-far more potent than fentanyl and morphine. Officials are sounding the alarm to the public, advising people that most opioid pills on the street are fake and made to look like legitimate prescription medication. What they're saying "Using drugs alone increases the risk of death. We urge people to avoid the dangers of opioids, especially fake pills that may contain carfentanil or fentanyl," said Dr. Michelle Jorden, a neuropathologist and the county's chief medical examiner. "Fake pills look real, but they can be deadly. People should not take any pill that they did not buy from the pharmacy," she said. The county's Board of Supervisors declared a public health crisis around mental health and substance use in 2022. The Behavioral Health Services Department is teaming up with other county-led programs and community partners to expand treatment options for people fighting substance-use disorders, according to Dr. Cheryl Ho, the behavioral health medical director for Substance Use Treatment Services (SUTS) and the County of Santa Clara. "If anyone you know is struggling, please reach out. Help is available -- and act now: treatment is available," said Ho. Added Dr. Akanksha Vaidya, "We believe that every life matters and no one should die of an overdose. That's why we offer evidence-based harm reduction services proven to reduce the risks of overdose and disease for people at any stage of use or recovery." Vaidya serves as the assistant health officer for Santa Clara County's Harm Reduction Program. "We reach the community with tools like the overdose-reversing medication naloxone, drug test strips, and help getting into treatment when someone is ready," Vaidya said. Dig deeper Naloxone, also known by its brand name Narcan, can reverse an overdose and should always be administered in the event of a potential opioid overdose, officials said. Other harm-reduction strategies include using fentanyl test strips. Anyone Santa Clara County resident 18 or older can receive free naloxone through the mail through the Santa Clara County Opioid Overdose Prevention Project. For more information about the project or treatment services, call (408) 272-6055 or email sccoopp@ You can also visit their website here. The Source Santa Clara County
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Elephant tranquilizer carfentanil caused Santa Clara County man's death
(KRON) — A first carfentanil overdose death ever recorded in Santa Clara County was confirmed by a medical examiner on Wednesday. The victim was a 39-year-old man who was found dead with counterfeit M30 pills, the Santa Clara County Office of the Medical Examiner said. The pills were manufactured to look like oxycodone. Instead of oxycodone, the pills contained carfentanil — a tranquilizer that is used for elephants and other large mammals, according to U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration officials. Carfentanil is not approved for human consumption, health officials warned. 'Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid approximately 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl. The presence of carfentanil in illicit U.S. drug markets is cause for concern, as the relative strength of this drug could lead to an increase in overdoses and overdose-related deaths,' DEA officials wrote. Most opioid pills sold by drug dealers on the street are fake and made to look like real prescription medications that come in different types, shapes, and colors, county health officials said. 'Using drugs alone increases the risk of death. We urge people to avoid the dangers of opioids, especially fake pills that may contain carfentanil or fentanyl,' said Dr. Michelle Jorden, Santa Clara County Chief Medical Examiner. 'Fake pills look real, but they can be deadly. People should not take any pill that they did not buy from the pharmacy.' The victim's name was not released. 'My baby is dead.' Santa Cruz mother never called 911 for baby poisoned by fentanyl, court documents show People should call 911 immediately if they encounter someone who is unresponsive and administer Narcan, also known as naloxone, health officials said. 'We believe that every life matters and no one should die of an overdose. We reach the community with tools like the overdose-reversing medication naloxone, drug test strips, and help getting into treatment when someone is ready,' said Dr. Akanksha Vaidya, assistant health officer of Harm Reduction Program. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
