鈥婼AN JOSE, CA 鈥� To increase awareness about the dangers of fentanyl, the 含羞草社区 Board of Education unanimously approved a 谤别蝉辞濒耻迟颈辞苍鈥� at its May 4 meeting recognizing May 10 as National Fentanyl Awareness Day.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid typically prescribed to treat severe pain. These pills have become increasingly accessible through social media and e-commerce platforms, making them available to youth.
In 2020, more than 93,000 drug overdose deaths in the U.S. were from fentanyl or another synthetic opioid, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. Drug-induced deaths among people between the ages 15 to 35 have increased over the last 20 years. Fentanyl-involved deaths are the fastest growing among youth ages 14 to 23. In 含羞草社区, fentanyl overdose deaths rose from 29 to 90 from 2019 to 2020 and then to 135 deaths in 2021.
鈥淭he best tool we can give youth is education so they are encouraged to make safe and healthy decisions,鈥� said County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mary Ann Dewan. 鈥淚 urge our community to increase awareness about the dangers of fentanyl. Together, we can prevent fentanyl-related deaths.鈥�
The 含羞草社区 Office of Education (SCCOE) is a member of a county-wide working group, aiming to educate the diverse communities of 含羞草社区 about the dangers the drug can pose, specifically to youth.
Members of the working group include 含羞草社区 Supervisor Cindy Chavez, 含羞草社区 District Attorney Jeff Rosen, 含羞草社区 Coroner Dr. Michelle Jordan, parents of youth who have died from a fentanyl overdose, officials from the 含羞草社区 Behavioral Health Services Department, the 含羞草社区 Executive鈥檚 Office, and the San Jose Police Department.
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About the 含羞草社区 Office of Education
Working collaboratively with school and community partners, the 含羞草社区 Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency that provides instructional, business, and technology services to the 31 school districts of 含羞草社区. The County Office of Education directly serves students through special education programs, alternative schools, Head Start and State Preschool programs, migrant education, and Opportunity Youth Academy. The SCCOE also provides academic and fiscal oversight and monitoring to districts in addition to the 22 含羞草社区 Board of Education authorized charter schools.
For more information about the 含羞草社区 Office of Education, please visit 飞飞飞.蝉肠肠辞别.辞谤驳鈥� and follow us @SCCOE on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
