Key Takeaways
- Fentanyl-related overdose deaths in the Inland Empire have increased dramatically, surpassing all other opioids as the primary cause of fatal overdoses.
- Medication-assisted treatment with buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone is the gold standard for opioid use disorder treatment.
- Naloxone is available without a prescription at pharmacies and through county health programs across the Inland Empire.
- The Inland Empire faces a treatment gap, with demand for opioid treatment services exceeding available capacity in many communities.
- Trust SoCal provides specialized opioid addiction treatment including medical detox and MAT initiation for Inland Empire residents.
The Opioid Crisis in the Inland Empire
The Inland Empire, encompassing Riverside and San Bernardino Counties with a combined population exceeding 4.5 million, has been deeply affected by the national opioid epidemic. What began with the overprescription of pain medications in the early 2000s has evolved through heroin use and now into a fentanyl-dominated crisis that is claiming lives at an unprecedented rate.
Data from the California Overdose Surveillance Dashboard reveals that opioid-related overdose deaths in both Riverside and San Bernardino Counties have increased dramatically in recent years. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid approximately 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, has become the primary driver of these fatalities. The drug is cheap to produce, easily concealed, and has infiltrated the illicit drug supply at every level, appearing not only in heroin but in counterfeit pills, methamphetamine, cocaine, and other substances.
The crisis disproportionately affects certain populations within the Inland Empire. Communities with higher rates of poverty, unemployment, and limited healthcare access experience greater overdose mortality. Veterans, individuals with chronic pain conditions, young adults, and the homeless population are at elevated risk. Understanding the scope and demographics of the crisis is essential for directing resources where they are needed most.
Illicitly manufactured fentanyl is now present in nearly every category of street drugs sold in the Inland Empire. Any substance purchased outside of a licensed pharmacy may contain a lethal dose. Fentanyl test strips can detect the drug's presence and are available through harm reduction programs.
Treatment Resources for Opioid Addiction
Effective treatment for opioid use disorder combines medication-assisted treatment with behavioral therapy and psychosocial support. This integrated approach addresses both the neurobiological and psychological dimensions of opioid addiction and produces significantly better outcomes than either approach alone.
Medication-Assisted Treatment Programs
Medication-assisted treatment using buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone is the evidence-based standard of care for opioid use disorder. Buprenorphine (marketed as Suboxone and other formulations) is a partial opioid agonist that can be prescribed by certified physicians in office-based settings, making it the most accessible MAT option. Multiple buprenorphine prescribers practice in communities throughout the Inland Empire.
Methadone is dispensed through specialized narcotic treatment programs that require daily visits initially, with take-home privileges earned over time. Several methadone clinics operate in Riverside County, primarily in the western portion near the cities of Riverside and Moreno Valley. Naltrexone, available as a monthly injection, blocks opioid receptors and is appropriate for individuals who have completed detox and are motivated to maintain complete opioid abstinence.
- Buprenorphine: Partial agonist prescribed in office settings, reduces cravings and withdrawal
- Methadone: Full agonist dispensed at specialized clinics, most effective for severe dependence
- Naltrexone: Antagonist available as monthly injection, blocks all opioid effects
- All three medications reduce overdose mortality by 50 percent or more
- MAT should be maintained for at least 12 months and often longer for optimal outcomes
Behavioral Therapy and Counseling
Behavioral therapies complement medication by addressing the psychological and behavioral patterns that drive opioid use. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps individuals identify triggers and develop coping strategies. Contingency management rewards abstinence with tangible incentives. Motivational interviewing strengthens internal motivation for change. Group therapy provides peer support and reduces the isolation that perpetuates addiction.
Trust SoCal in Fountain Valley offers comprehensive opioid addiction treatment that combines medical detox, MAT initiation, individual therapy, group counseling, and family programming in a JCAHO-accredited setting. Inland Empire residents can access this level of specialized care by calling (949) 280-8360 for a confidential assessment.
Naloxone Access in the Inland Empire
Naloxone (brand name Narcan) is an opioid antagonist that rapidly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. California law allows pharmacies to dispense naloxone without a prescription, and many pharmacies throughout the Inland Empire carry the nasal spray formulation that can be administered by anyone without medical training.
Free naloxone distribution is available through Riverside County Department of Behavioral Health, San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health, community health centers and harm reduction organizations, local fire departments and law enforcement agencies, and various community-based naloxone distribution events held throughout the year.
Carrying naloxone is a critical harm reduction measure for anyone who uses opioids, lives with someone who uses opioids, or is in regular contact with individuals at risk of overdose. The medication has no harmful effects if administered to someone who is not experiencing an opioid overdose, making it safe to use whenever overdose is suspected.
Keep naloxone in an accessible location and make sure family members and close friends know where it is and how to use it. The nasal spray formulation requires no medical training and includes simple instructions for emergency use.
Harm Reduction Strategies
Harm reduction acknowledges that not everyone is ready or able to stop using substances immediately and seeks to reduce the negative consequences of substance use while keeping people alive and connected to potential pathways to recovery. In the context of the opioid crisis, harm reduction measures include naloxone distribution, fentanyl test strips, syringe service programs, and overdose prevention education.
Fentanyl test strips, which detect the presence of fentanyl in drug samples, have been legalized in California and are available through harm reduction organizations in the Inland Empire. While these strips do not guarantee safety, they provide information that can help individuals make more informed decisions and reduce the risk of accidental fentanyl exposure.
Syringe service programs reduce the transmission of HIV, hepatitis C, and other bloodborne infections while providing a point of contact through which individuals who inject drugs can access healthcare, treatment referrals, and other supportive services. These programs have been shown to increase treatment entry rates among participants.
Community Prevention and Education
Preventing new cases of opioid addiction requires community-level interventions that address the root causes and risk factors associated with substance use. Schools throughout the Inland Empire have adopted prevention curricula that educate students about the risks of opioid use and other substances, emphasizing the danger of fentanyl-laced pills and the importance of never using prescription medications not prescribed to them.
Prescription drug take-back events, held multiple times annually at locations throughout Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, provide safe disposal options for unused medications that might otherwise be diverted for non-medical use. Proper medication disposal removes a common pathway to opioid misuse, particularly among adolescents who access medications from family members' medicine cabinets.
If you or someone you know in the Inland Empire is struggling with opioid addiction, help is available. Contact Trust SoCal at (949) 280-8360 for a confidential assessment, or call the Riverside County Crisis Helpline at 951-686-HELP for immediate support and referrals to local treatment resources.
Rachel Handa, Clinical Director
Clinical Director & Therapist
