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County proclaims Prescription Drug Misuse Awareness Month; officials highlight naloxone distribution
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Summary
Contra Costa County marked Prescription Drug Misuse Awareness Month, reporting local opioid metrics and highlighting naloxone distribution and community training as prevention measures.
Contra Costa County proclaimed March 2026 as Prescription Drug Misuse Awareness Month at the Board of Supervisors meeting on March 31 and heard presentations from behavioral‑health staff and coalition partners about local prevention work.
Jessica Racinos, the county prevention coordinator, told the board that in 2023 the county recorded 447,583 opioid prescriptions dispensed — an age‑adjusted rate of 313.9 per 1,000 residents — and that, in 2024, the county recorded opioid‑related emergency‑department visits and 123 deaths related to opioid overdose. The county urged residents to visit the Contra Costa OD‑free web resources and to participate in naloxone training.
April Rivero of the National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse (NCAPDA) described community distribution and training: the county Meds Coalition and related groups have distributed thousands of naloxone units and placed public naloxone boxes. Rivero said naloxone distribution and community education are contributing to a year‑over‑year decline in fatal overdoses reported by coalition members.
Speakers encouraged residents and community partners to recruit high‑traffic locations for naloxone stations, attend training events and take part in upcoming local prevention activities.
