Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sheriff reports sustained drop in overdose deaths, credits Narcan distribution, treatment and enforcement
Summary
Sheriff—s office briefed the board on a decline in county overdose deaths from 158 in 2023 to 96 in 2024 and 93 so far in 2025, citing expanded medication-assisted treatment in custody, Narcan distribution and targeted narcotics enforcement as contributing factors.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office told the Board of Supervisors on March 10 that overdose deaths in the county have declined substantially since 2023, with a drop from 158 deaths in 2023 to 96 in 2024 and 93 so far in 2025. The sheriff credited a combination of law enforcement seizures, public distribution of naloxone (Narcan), expanded medication-assisted treatment in county jails and community treatment partnerships for the improvements.
The data: Staff reported fentanyl-related deaths fell from 111 in 2023 to 59 in 2024 and to 46 in 2025 to date, a roughly 47% drop year-over-year for that period. Methamphetamine-related deaths also fell but remained substantial; the sheriff noted demographic disparities with greater reductions seen among some populations than others.
What is being done: The sheriff highlighted expanded in-custody medication treatment, county distribution of naloxone to first responders and community groups, and a recently reconstituted narcotics enforcement effort that reported large seizures (pounds of methamphetamine, quantities of pills and cash) since late 2024. Staff said the county will continue coordinated prevention, treatment and enforcement strategies and expand targeted outreach for populations showing smaller declines in mortality.
Why it matters: The decline—if sustained—represents lives saved and a shift in an entrenched public-health crisis. Board members welcomed the results but probed gaps in outcomes by race/ethnicity and age group and asked staff to continue focusing outreach and treatment capacity where disparities persist.
Next steps: The sheriff said staff can provide more granular city-level data on request and will continue distributing naloxone and tracking treatment engagement and reentry supports for people leaving custody.
Quote: "Narcan is widely available and free; it saves lives and it is part of a multi-pronged response that includes treatment and enforcement," the sheriff said.
