Santa Barbara Opioid Safety Coalition

Category: Media

  • Press Release: LGBTQ+ Pride MonthJune 2022

    Press Release: LGBTQ+ Pride Month
    June 2022

    June is designated as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month to remember the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan and celebrate this milestone for the LGBTQ+ population in America. Although memorials are held during this month for those members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS, the spirit of Pride is celebratory. And while the last Sunday of the month was originally designated as the day of celebration, communities around the country eventually chose various days within June to celebrate which led to the variety of events, both celebratory and awareness-focused, that are now held throughout the month. Learn more at on the Library of Congress’s website.
     
    Quick Facts from The Trevor Project’s 2020-2021 Report:

    • More than 80% of LGBTQ youth stated that COVID-19 made their living situation more stressful — and only 1 in 3 LGBTQ youth found their home to be LGBTQ-affirming.
    • 75% of LGBTQ youth reported that they had experienced discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity at least once in their lifetime.

    Pacific Pride Foundation provides services for LGBTQ+ and HIV-impacted communities in Santa Barbara County:

    • 2,000 community members receive vital health & wellness services every year.
    • 1,000 people receive clean syringes and education about HIV prevention practices including PrEP and safer sex materials.
    • 3,000 people attend the Pacific Pride Festival each August.

    Connect online by posting on social media: Follow Santa Barbara Opioid Safety Coalition on Instagram at opioidsafetysb. Follow Pacific Pride on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and use the hashtag #PrideMonth all month. Write to incarcerated individuals who identify as LGBTQIA2S+ through Black & Pink National’s PenPal Program.

    Events: Attend Pacific Pride Festival for FREE which is hosted by Pacific Pride Foundation will be this August 27 at Chase Palm Park.

  • Press Release: National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW) March 21-27, 2022

    Press Release: National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (NDAFW)
    March 21-27, 2022

    About NDAFW
    National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week®, or NDAFW, is an annual, week-long, health observance that inspires dialogue about the science of drug use and addiction among youth. It provides an opportunity to bring together scientists, students, educators, healthcare providers, and community partners—to help advance the science, so that we can improve the prevention and awareness of substance misuse in our own communities and nationwide. It was launched in 2010 by scientists at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to stimulate educational events in communities so teens can learn what science has taught us about drug use and addiction. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism became a partner in 2016, and alcohol has been added as a topic area for the week. NIDA and NIAAA are part of the National Institutes of Health, and work with leading organizations, media outlets, and other Government agencies to spread the word about NDAFW.

    Events. Register your event or activity here. You can also view an Events Map on the website!

    Post on social media: use the #MyWhyNDAFW hashtag and post a photo of you holding the branded sign stating your reasons for why you support this week.

    Information for promoting mental and emotional well-being to reduce the risk of substance abuse as a coping strategy:
    Nurturing My Mental & Emotional Health
    Stressed Out?
    Is This Legit? Accessing Valid and Reliable Health Information
    National Drug & Alcohol IQ Challenge

  • Celebrate International Overdose Awareness Day August 31, 2021 – Press Release

    Celebrate International Overdose Awareness Day August 31, 2021 – Press Release

    SANTA BARBARA – The tragedy of overdose is far too frequent but is ultimately preventable. Overdose prevention, education and recognition play a crucial role in saving lives and we thank you for getting involved. On August 31st, International Overdose Awareness Day, the Santa Barbara Opioid Safety Coalition (SBOSC) invites the community to visit our table at the Farmer’s Market on State St. to learn how overdose affects every single one of us and how you can make a difference. Join us at our table between 3:00 – 7:00 pm to learn more.

    Each year we lose thousands of people from drug overdose globally. Some survive but suffer a permanent injury, with devastating impact to their families and friends. Santa Barbara is not immune. You may have seen it, it has happened to people around you. Tomorrow, it could happen to someone you love. This is not an invisible issue. International Overdose Awareness Day provides an opportunity for us to reflect on practical ways to prevent overdose in our community. Overdose is preventable. Knowing the real facts about drugs and what to do when you see someone experiencing an overdose DOES save lives. Overdose Day events that aim to educate our communities about drugs can really help.

    The Goals of Overdose Awareness Day are:

    • to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death;
    • to acknowledge the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have met with death or permanent injury as a result of drug overdose;
    • to send a strong message to current and former people who use drugs that they are valued

    We, the SBOSC, are playing our part to support the day with an informational table at the Santa Barbara farmer’s market on State St. Tuesday, August 31 between 3:00-7:00 pm. Together, communities, families, people who use drugs, government officials, international organizations, businesses and policy makers can come together in a shared effort to reduce the tragedy of overdose.

    SBOSC knows that now more than ever, it is important for the mental health movement to come together. This is a defining moment, rife with change and conflict on multiple fronts, and an opportunity to come together collaboratively to create the future where we all have hope for recovery.

    The Santa Barbara Opioid Safety Coalition (SBOSC) serves all of Santa Barbara County and is a 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.

    > Download a Press Release

  • SB Opioid Safety Coalition Drug Take Back Day

    SB Opioid Safety Coalition Drug Take Back Day

    Santa Barbara Opioid Safety Coalition Announces Taking Back Unwanted Prescription Drugs on April 24 at CVS locations

    Santa Barbara, CA – On Saturday, April 24, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. the Santa Barbara Opioid Safety Coalition and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration announce the public opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your pills for disposal to the CVS location closest to you.

    Read the Article in the Santa Barbara Independent.