1 APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
________________________
CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. ______________ C.M.S.
INTRODUCED BY COUNCILMEMBERS
NOEL GALLO, REBECCA KAPLAN, AND TREVA REID
RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING FENTANYL AS A PUBLIC HEALTH
CRISIS
WHEREAS, Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid up to 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine1; and
WHEREAS; there were 7,385 opioid-related deaths in California in 2022 and 6,473 of those deaths were related to fentanyl2; and
WHEREAS, there were 229 opioid-related deaths in Alameda County in 2022; up from just 59 in 20193; and
WHEREAS, Narcan Nasal Spray is an FDA-approved lifesaving drug that can quickly reverse overdose from both prescription and illicit opioids such as heroin and fentanyl4; and WHEREAS, Oakland Fire Department and Oakland Police Department personnel are equipped with Narcan and are trained to recognize and respond to opioid overdoses and have saved many lives over the last ten years by administering the life-saving medication; and
WHEREAS, The City of Oakland, 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; and
WHEREAS, investing 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; and
1 https://calmatters.org/explainers/california-opioid-crisis/
2 https://skylab.cdph.ca.gov/oddash/?tab=home
3 https://skylab.cdph.ca.gov/oddash/?tab=cty
4 https://ncapda.org/naloxone/
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WHEREAS, a recent investigation5 into Oakland’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”; and
WHEREAS, in the same investi gation, speaking with Dr. Erik Anderson of Highland Hospital in Oakland, investigators described fentanyl and meth as by far the most harmful illicit drugs impacting Oakland today; and
WHEREAS, the fentanyl crisis is a statewide issue that has gained direct investment from state lawmakers, including Gov. Newsom, who announced in 2023 a master plan6 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; and
WHEREAS, the National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse 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 request7; and WHEREAS, California’s Good Samaritan Law, Health and Safety Code Section 1799.102 protects from civil liability persons who, in good faith, voluntarily render medical or non-medical care at the scene of an emergency; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED: That the Oakland City Council recognizes fentanyl as a public health crisis; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Oakland City Council requests the State of California and the Federal government to expand resources to combat the fentanyl crisis, and support health and recovery; and
5 Oakland's meth crisis is growing at an alarming rate (oaklandside.org) 6 Fentanyl-Opioids-Glossy-Plan_3.20.23.pdf (ca.gov)
7 https://ncapda.org/naloxone-overdose-rescue-training/
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FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Oakland City Council encourages all Oaklanders to consider participating in the free online training provided by the National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse to learn to recognize and reverse overdoses and to obtain free Narcan overdose rescue kits after training.
IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES - FIFE, GALLO, JENKINS, KALB, KAPLAN, RAMACHANDRAN, REID, AND
PRESIDENT FORTUNATO BAS
NOES –
ABSENT –
ABSTENTION –
ATTEST:
ASHA REED
City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of the
City of Oakland, California