C
ity Council
File # 24-0610
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor and members of the City
Council
FROM: Councilmember Kaplan
At-Large District
C
ouncilmember Gallo
District 5
C
ouncilmember Reid
District 7
SUBJECT:
Fentanyl Crisis DATE: June 20, 2024
RECOMMENDATION
C
ouncilmembers Kaplan, Gallo, and Reid recommend that the City Council adopt a resolution.
RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING FENTANYL AS A PUBLIC HEALTH
CRISIS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
As stewards of the City of Oakland, we are deeply committed to prioritizing the health and safety of our residents. It is our responsibility to take proactive and protective measures to ensure the well-being of all our residents. We urge the state of California and the Federal government to expand resources to address the urgent Fentanyl crisis that is impacting our community.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid up to 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. There were 7,385 opioid-related deaths in California in 2022, and 6,473 of those deaths were related to fentanyl. Oakland (the City), the largest city in Alameda County in both size and population, strongly urges the State of California and the Federal government to expand resources to address the fentanyl crisis effectively and support health and recovery.
Studies and investigations in the City and statewide indicate inve sting in proactive anti-addiction
literacy programs, life-saving resources such as Narcan, and access to addiction rehabilitation programs are humane and achievable measures. When implemented, these measures can aid in breaking the cycle of addiction. Furthermore, the Oakland City Council (the Council) encourages all City residents to consider participating in the free online training provided by the National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse (NCAPDA). The training provided by NCAPDA informs participants of manners and techniques to recognize and reverse overdoses. Furthermore,
Honorable Mayor & City Council
Subject: Fentanyl Crisis
Date: Page 2
C
ity Council
File # 24-0610
NCAPDA courses offer free Narcan overdose rescue kits after training. This proposal urges the state of California and the Federal government to expand resources to address effectively the fentanyl crisis impacting the City and the State of California.
BACKGROUND / LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
T
he fentanyl crisis is a statewide issue in California. Governor Newsom, in 2023, announced a master plan1 to tackle the fentanyl crisis. Such action by the state of California illustrates the magnitude of the fentanyl crisis and signals the importance of proactive measures.
A
recent investigation2 into the City’s growing methamphetamine problem discovered the issue has been compounded by the statewide fentanyl crisis. Meth in Oakland has become “more dangerous” as the illegal drugs are commonly “laced with fentanyl.” I n the same investigation, speaking with Dr. Erik Anderson of Highland Hospital in the City, investigators described fentanyl and meth as by far the most harmful illicit drugs impacting the city today.
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alifornia has an existing law, commonly known as California’s Good Samaritan Law, Health and Safety Code Section 1799.102, which protects from civil liability persons who, in good faith, voluntarily render medical or non-medical care at the scene of an emergency. NCAPDA provides free online training to those who wish to learn critical life-saving drug overdose rescue skills and provides free Narcan overdose rescue kits to California residents upon request3 or completion of a Narcan training course.
FISCAL IMPACT
Adopting the proposed resolution does not impact the City of Oakland’s fiscal budget.
PUBLIC OUTREACH/INTEREST
The creation of this resolution was spurred by the outpour of public, municipal, local, and State concerns regarding the rising death toll linked to fentanyl.
COORDINATION
The At-large Office, Council District Offices Five and Seven, worked alongside the Office of the City Attorney, to prepare this resolution.
1 Fentanyl-Opioids-Glossy-Plan_3.20.23.pdf (ca.gov)
2 Oakland's meth crisis is growing at an alarming rate (oaklandside.org) 3 https://ncapda.org/naloxone-overdose-rescue-training/ 3355349v1
Honorable Mayor & City Council
Subject: Fentanyl Crisis
Date: Page 3
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ity Council
File # 24-0610
SUSTAINABLE OPPORTUNITIES
Economic: If adopted, the proposed resolution does not require funding or the allocation of existing funds. It calls for the state and the federal government to expand resources to combat the fentanyl crisis.
Environmental: Adopting this resolution has no impact or influence on the environment.
Social Equity: The proposed resolution calls for the State and Federal government to expand resources. The Fentanyl crisis significantly impacts the unhoused and the medically under- covered populations. By expanding resources, these communities will have access to more support to overcome addiction and the challenges it presents.
ACTION REQUESTED OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Councilmembers Kaplan, Gallo, and Reid recommend adopting the following resolution:
RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING FENTANYL AS A PUBLIC HEALTH
CRISIS
For questions regarding this report, please contact Michael Alvarenga, Legislative Analyst, at [email protected]
R
espectfully submitted,
C
ouncilmember Kaplan
At-Large District
C
ouncilmember Gallo
District 5
C
ouncilmember Reid
District 7
P
repared by:
Michael Alvarenga, Legislative Analyst
Office of Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan
R
eviewed by:
Kimberly Jones, Chief of Staff
Office of Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan