Linea de Acceso para Servicos y Crisis, Gratuito y Disponible las 24 Horas del Dia (888) 868-1649. Para emergencias medicas, llame al 911.
Linea de Acceso para Servicos y Crisis, Gratuito y Disponible las 24 Horas del Dia (888) 868-1649. Para emergencias medicas, llame al 911.
We are a local community coalition dedicated to saving lives and preventing opioid misuse through expanding public education and media outreach, enhancing opioid surveillance, preventing overdose and promoting Naloxone distribution, promoting safe disposal practices, encouraging early intervention, and expanding treatment access and recovery throughout Santa Barbara County.
The Santa Barbara County Opioid Safety Coalition is a local community coalition in Santa Barbara County dedicated to saving lives and preventing opioid misuse. The coalition was formed in 2018 to help coordinate local efforts to respond to the opioid crisis. You can learn more about us here. This website was created to bring attention to the opioid issue in our community and provide resources to individuals seeking treatment for an opioid use disorder for themselves or a loved one, as well as information and resources for behavioral health professionals, physicians, and policymakers.
Although we are all aware by now that there is an opioid crisis, the impact continues to escalate. In 2020, 1.4 million people nationwide used prescription painkillers non-medically for the first time. The average age of these users was 21. Four out of five people who are addicted to heroin report that their addiction began with prescription pills. Despite the epidemic of opioid abuse in America, only 1 in 10 people with a substance use disorder receive treatment. Every community is being impacted, and Santa Barbara is no exception. Almost twice a week, someone in Santa Barbara County dies from an overdose involving opioids.
We hope you find this website useful and welcome your feedback and inquiries. You may contact us via email.
The Santa Barbara County Dept. of Behavioral Wellness has published a Toolkit for treatment providers in Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT) for patients with substance use disorders. The toolkit includes:
> Download the MAT Toolkit
> Visit our Resources for Professionals page
In an effort to educate people in Santa Barbara County about the nationwide and local epidemic of fentanyl deaths, the Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness has launched the “Fentanyl is Forever” campaign. The campaign’s website can be found at fentanylisforeversb.org.
The campaign, which features compelling videos from families and friends of victims, doctors, and health care administrators, seeks to convey how dangerous fentanyl is — much deadlier than other opioids: “Just a few grains of fentanyl are enough to kill you. Or your child.”
The campaign also includes ads on local television, radio, and social media. Spread the word…fentanyl is forever.
“It’s OK Not to be OK.” That’s the message that youth concerned about their mental health want to share on a new website—oksbc.org—created by the County Dept. of Behavioral Wellness in collaboration with local youth.
It’s OK Santa Barbara County and the online OK Campus is a space for youth to open up about their struggles with mental health, substance misuse, anxiety, stress and other issues, and to find healthy ways and resources to cope. Together, we can start the conversation to stop the social stigma attached to mental health and substance use disorders. With fentanyl poisonings and mental health concerns on the rise among youth in our community, this resource is more important than ever.
YOR Place is a youth drop-in center to address opioid and stimulant use disorders among youth ages 12-24 years old and their families. Services are located at 425 W. Central Ave. in Lompoc and at 222 W. Carmen Lane, Suite 201 in Santa Maria.
For more information download the brochures below or email YORPlace@sbcbwell.org.
> Download YOR Place Brochure in English
> Download YOR Place Brochure in Spanish
Follow us on social media for regular updates!
The CDC has developed the Free Mind campaign to help prevent substance use and overdose among youth ages 12–17. The campaign addresses the connection that substance use has with mental health. Recent research shows that substance use and mental health can go hand in hand. The number of teens reporting poor mental health has increased over the past decade. In 2023, 40% of high school students nationwide stopped regular activities because of persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
Visit the free mind website to download campaign materials that can be used locally to educate teens and parents.
Kratom is a drug with stimulant effects (in low doses) and opioid effects (in high doses). Kratom is made from leaves of a tree native to Southeast Asia that are crushed and then smoked, brewed with tea, or placed into gel capsules. The herb and powder can be ordered on the Internet or found in vitamin stores, gas stations or paraphernalia/smoke shops. Popular strains and varieties include Indo, Bali, Green Malaysian, Maeng Da, Thai and Borneo.
Although kratom is marketed as a drug that relieves pain and helps with anxiety and depression, it can be dangerous and potentially addictive. Short-term adverse effects of kratom can include nausea, constipation, dizziness, and dry mouth. Kratom products are not regulated so risk containing different materials, including chemicals and plants that are not related to kratom. As a result, kratom’s effects can vary from person to person. There are no drug warning labels; no way to gauge the potency.
There are no proven medical uses for kratom and the FDA strongly discourages the public from consuming it. Kratom is an opioid and it’s an inherently addictive product that can cause harm, which is reason enough not to consume it, but it also may make users sick.
According to the Hazeldon Betty Ford Foundation, “When people use kratom as an alternative to heroin or prescription opioids, they’re trading one addiction for another. It’s a temporary Band-Aid and can lead to relapse and other health concerns. Just because you don’t have to buy a drug from a dealer doesn’t mean it’s ok. It’s not a safe way to treat addiction.” If you or someone you know needs help with an addiction to kratom, please visit our treatment resources page.
Kratom can cause an overdose, especially when mixed with other drugs. The interaction of kratom with other substances hasn’t been well-studied. Like other opioids, naloxone can be used to reverse an overdose from kratom.
For more information:
> Download a Prevention Fact Sheet about Kratom
Read: “What’s All the Hype About Kratom?”, Hazeldon Betty Ford Foundation
Xylazine is an animal tranquilizer which is reaching the US illicit drug supply (“on the street”) where it is known as “tranq” or “tranq dope.” Xylazine has been linked to an increasing number of overdose deaths nationwide. Some people who use drugs are taking xylazine knowingly in combination with other drugs, especially fentanyl. Other people who use drugs are not aware their drug supply contains xylazine at all.The effects of xylazine alone are not reversed by naloxone, and unfortunately there is no reversal drug for it.
Xylazine is still a new and emerging issue in California, and there is no evidence to suggest that xylazine is common in California’s drug supply at this time (March 23, 2023). However, the U.S. illicit drug supply is unpredictable and experts are concerned that xylazine may eventually penetrate the California drug supply, increasing instances of fatal overdose and serious skin infections.
Learn more here.
Download briefs about Xylazine for health care and treatment providers from CDPH and from SAMHSA.
In December 2024, California launched a new, comprehensive opioid website—opioids.ca.gov— that gives Californians a single resource for prevention, data, treatment, and support information. The website is part of Governor Newsom’s multi-pronged approach to connect Californians with information to prevent and reduce overdoses and deaths and support those struggling with substance use and addiction.
Launching as part of the state’s CalHOPE program, two new web- and app-based platforms will offer all California families with kids, teens, and young adults ages 0 – 25 free one-on-one support with a live wellness coach, a library of multimedia resources, wellness exercises, and peer communities moderated by trained behavioral health professionals to ensure content is appropriate and safe for all users.
BrightLife Kids, developed by Brightline, is for parents or caregivers and kids 0-12 years old. Soluna, developed by Kooth, is for teens and young adults ages 13-25. Families with multiple children whose ages span 0-25 can use both platforms to meet their unique needs. Each app will also offer coaching services in English and Spanish. They are available for download for IOS devices in the Apple App Store and for Android devices in Google Play Store. They are also available online at CalHOPE.
These apps provide a vital new way for families to access professional mental health support, offering services in English, Spanish, and other Medi-Cal threshold languages. The apps deliver coaching and resources tailored to the needs of young people and their caregivers, empowering families with tools to navigate mental health challenges and improve overall well-being.
At least once a week, someone in Santa Barbara County dies from an overdose involving opioids. A review of data from the county coroner showed that 75 overdose deaths in 2024 involved opioids, a decrease of 42% as compared to the previous year. In 2025 there was a continued decline in overdose deaths, with only 67 opioid-related overdose deaths, of which 73% were due to fentanyl.
Although no one knows the source of this decine, many believe it is due to our local efforts to increase the availability of naloxone, which can reverse opioid overdoses, as well as increasing access to treatment medications. Please visit our Data Dashboard to learn more and stay up-to-date on the impact of opioids in Santa Barbara County.
Please explore this website’s continually updated resources for youth, parents and families, physicians and behavioral health professionals, and policymakers.
Learn more about how the coalition is tackling this issue and how you can help by ensuring you safely dispose of presciption medications and keep them secure at home.
At least once a week, someone in Santa Barbara County dies from an overdose involving opioids. A review of data from the county coroner showed that 75 overdose deaths in 2024 involved opioids, a decrease of 42% as compared to the previous year. In 2025 there was a continued decline in overdose deaths, with only 67 opioid-related overdose deaths, of which 73% were due to fentanyl.
Although no one knows the source of this decine, many believe it is due to our local efforts to increase the availability of naloxone, which can reverse opioid overdoses, as well as increasing access to treatment medications. Please visit our Data Dashboard to learn more and stay up-to-date on the impact of opioids in Santa Barbara County.
Please explore this website’s continually updated resources for youth, parents and families, physicians and behavioral health professionals, and policymakers.
Learn more about how the coalition is tackling this issue and how you can help by ensuring you safely dispose of presciption medications and keep them secure at home.
