TITLE:
title
ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO ELIMINATE THE THREAT OF FENTANYL IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
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DEPARTMENT: Police Department
PRESENTED BY: Ronald Lawrence, Chief of Police
CONTACT INFORMATION: Ronald Lawrence 714-754-5117
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff recommends City Council adopt Resolution 2022-xx joining the County of Orange and Orange County Law Enforcement’s effort to eliminate the threat of fentanyl in our communities.
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BACKGROUND:
On January 25, 2022, the Orange County Board of Supervisors adopted a Resolution joining Orange County Law Enforcement in the commitment to eliminate the threat of fentanyl in Orange County. Fentanyl continues to pose a serious public health and safety risk to local communities. From 2016 through 2020, fentanyl-related deaths in Orange County increased at an alarming rate of 1100%.
Through the adoption of this Resolution, the City of Costa Mesa, and the Costa Mesa Police Department affirms its commitment to support the County of Orange and Orange County Law Enforcement’s effort to eliminate the deadly impacts of fentanyl in our communities.
ANALYSIS:
Between 2018-2022, the Costa Mesa Police Department seized over 267 pounds of fentanyl and 15,000 fentanyl laced pills, which potentially contained over a million lethal doses and had a total street value in $2.5 million. The Costa Mesa Police Department and other police agencies have begun issuing advisements to anyone identified as distributing fentanyl to others. The advisement explains that fentanyl use is extremely dangerous to human life and if the individual continues to distribute fentanyl to others and its use causes the death of a person, the individual can be charged with homicide. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has adopted a similar policy advising offenders who distribute fentanyl.
The Costa Mesa Police Department has partnered with the Drug Enforcement Agency public awareness campaign, “One Pill Can Kill,” to raise awareness that pills obtained outside of a licensed pharmacy are illegal, dangerous, and potentially lethal. The Police Department has adopted the same awareness campaign to inform our local community of the dangers fentanyl poses to residents.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City Council has the options to adopt the Resolution or provide alternative direction.
FISCAL REVIEW:
No fiscal impact.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed this report and approved it as to form.
CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND PRIORITIES:
This item supports the City Council Goal: Strengthen the public’s safety and improve the quality of life.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends City Council adopt Resolution 2022-xx joining the County of Orange and Orange County Law Enforcement’s effort to eliminate the threat of fentanyl in our communities.