Item Number: 13
City Council / Board of Directors
Written Communications
Meeting of: February 6, 2024
Submitted By:
Keith C. Metzler, City Manager
Subject:
Fentanyl Awareness Program
Recommendation:
That your Honorable City Council approve the attached Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Victorville and Institute for Public Strategies to provide substance misuse prevention services and activities to the residents of Victorville and surrounding communities.
Fiscal Impact:
The fiscal impact is not determined at this time, however, is not expected to be significant as the costs will be incidental to our budget for community outreach. To the extent costs associated with this MOU increase to a level that is greater than incidental, staff will bring back the item for further deliberation by Council.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Strategic Plan Goal F - Communication and Outreach. Developing and implementing a Fentanyl Awareness and Education Program will build connections with community partners, residents, and employees. Additionally, the program will provide services and activities to educate the public on the serious dangers of Fentanyl, bring awareness to the prevalence in our community and most importantly, equip people with lifesaving resources to promote a safe and healthy community.
Background:
At the June 20, 2023, regular City Council meeting, a request was made by Council Member Harriman to develop a Fentanyl Awareness and Education program which provides significant data regarding the fentanyl crisis. Staff was directed to provide information as to why there is a need for a Fentanyl Awareness and Education program and any legal issues that may arise if we launch said program. 3 4
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Following this request, staff began discussing options for a Fentanyl Awareness and Education program. Staff made contact with several organizations to determine what was being done by others to potentially avoid duplication of efforts. Staff was subsequently contacted by Ms. Carolina Gabaldon, Program Manager, with the Institute for Public Strategies (IPS). Following several meetings with staff, Ms. Gabaldon was invited to present information about the local Fentanyl crisis along with information about the program and resources that are already being offered by IPS in Victorville as well as surrounding cities and towns. At the November 7, 2023, regular City Council meeting, Ms.
Gabaldon presented significant data regarding the Fentanyl crisis and information as to why there is a need for a Fentanyl Awareness and Education program. Following the presentation, a motion was made by Council Member Harriman for city staff to collaborate with IPS in order to come up with a reasonable plan and program offer to bring back to the Council to review and approve. Since that time, staff has been working with Ms.
Gabaldon to develop a reasonable plan and program for Fentanyl Awareness and Education.
Discussion:
Attached for consideration is a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Institute for Public Strategies (IPS) and the City of Victorville which outlines a clear and reasonable plan and program for the purpose of providing substance misuse prevention services and activities to the residents of Victorville and surrounding communities. The program will provide services and activities to educate the public on the serious dangers of Fentanyl, bring awareness to the prevalence in our community and most importantly, equip people with lifesaving resources to promote a safe and healthy community to reduce opioid overdose harms. The MOU reflects the intent of both parties, IPS and the City of Victorville, to coordinate efforts to ensure the community is provided with expert substance misuse prevention services.
Under this MOU, the City of Victorville agrees to the following:
•Provide a mutually agreed upon location for educational presentations, Naloxone training, and Naloxone distribution at a mutually agreed upon time. •Provide a mutually agreed upon location for hosting a community/media event at a mutually agreed upon time, including security, trash receptacles, lighting (stage delivery, setup, and dismantling), and restroom facilities. •Support the work that the Institute for Public Strategies is doing in the community to prevent substance abuse disorders, reduce substance misuse issues, and raise awareness of the dangers of Fentanyl use.
Under this MOU, Institute of Public Strategies agrees to the following:
•Provide Fentanyl Education and Awareness Trainings that include Naloxone distribution.
•Disseminate information and resources to Victorville residents and residents of surrounding communities to prevent substance misuse.
•Provide Technical Assistance to qualified entities in applying for a standing order of Naloxone.
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•Provide evidence-based strategies and resources to assist in the development of a Fentanyl resource webpage for the City of Victorville. •Collaborate with community organizations and appropriate agencies to host Fentanyl Awareness community events.
•Collaborate with the Victorville Wellness Center to provide substance misuse prevention services.
•Coordinate one (1) community/media event with the City of Victorville on the topic of Fentanyl Awareness, Education, and Prevention.
•Table events hosted by the City of Victorville to disseminate substance misuse prevention materials.
•Create a media advisory to be published by news outlets and radio stations.
IPS is a nonprofit public health organization specializing in implementing prevention programs that reduce health disparities and advance equity. IPS works alongside residents and stakeholders to protect health and safety and prevent community trauma.
IPS receives funding for their programs from several local, state, and national government agencies such as St. Mary Medical Center, St. Joseph’s Foundation, California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), San Bernardino County, and the Department of Justice (DOJ). IPS offers Naloxone (Narcan) training in the community and assists local community organizations and other entities with creating a standing order with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
Staff recommends that your Honorable City Council approves the attached MOU between the City of Victorville and the Institute for Public Strategies to provide substance misuse prevention services and activities to the residents of Victorville and surrounding communities.
Staff remains available for questions or comments.
Attachments: A. Memorandum of Understanding between Institute for Public Strategies and the City of Victorville