SHAPing UP-June 2025
- bdavis415
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Better Late Than Never
From mid April, through early May, the SHAPing Project and Pharmacy hosted a Pill Take-Back Campaign in observance of National Pill Take Back Day in April. We are excited to announce we were able to collect 27 pounds of prescription medication from the community! Collection was 21/2 times the previous month; all made possible by a community-driven preventative efforts. We want to congratulate our community and employee raffle winners who received a gift card for utilizing the prescription medication lock box. A special Thank You to Pharmacy staff who made this campaign possible. Be on the lookout for the next Pill Take Back campaign!
Attention! Immediate Action
Over the past month, a rising spike in opioid-related fatalities has hit the community. Pre-analytic findings from our community based opioid use and misuse survey shows elevated levels of past year opioid misuse 3 times as high as the California Health Interview Survey findings. More than likely the substance involved is Illicit Fentanyl or possibly Nitazene, another strong synthetic opioid that is now being detected by the Harm Reduction Coalition of San Diego’s drug checking machine. We would like you to arm yourself with knowledge. Be aware of counterfeit prescription opioid medication like oxycodone “blues,” Percocet “perks” as they might contain fentanyl. Never buy prescription medication off the streets from a “street pharmacist.” Those who engage in stimulant use like methamphetamine should be aware of fentanyl contaminated or laced supplies. To mitigate this spike, please educate yourself on identifying an overdose crisis (Shallowed breathing, Pinpoint pupils, pale skin, clamminess, unresponsiveness, “death rattle/gurgle”). Call 911, this is a medical emergency not a criminal activity, so you may be protected. Be Ready, pick up some Free Naloxone (Narcan) (Indian Health Council, Inner Tribal Treatment, Vending Machines: Pala Fire Department/ Rincon Fire Department, Pauma Casino, Valley Center Sheriff Substation, and other first responder locations. The same locations may also have Fentanyl Testing Strips (FTS). FTS is a safer-using harm reduction practice to detect illicit fentanyl in tainted counterfeit pills and drug supply.
Drug use is happening, whether by the disease of addiction, someone is a recreational user or, an experimental user. Drug use does not discriminate and can happen to anyone. Addiction is a complicated disease and to those of us who have a loved one currently struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD), please show compassion and continue to show kindness; don’t forget to take care of yourself as well and reach out to someone who has been in this situation before to gain support and insight. Also, relay the confidential Never Use Alone Hotline (800) 484-3731 or (877) 696-1996 to someone struggling with OUD. Using alone is the #1 reason opioid fatalities occur. A recent study has shown that out of 1000 people, 17 people receiving non-Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Treatment will die from an opioid overdose compared to 6 opioid related deaths for those who have received a MOUD Treatment like Suboxone or Methadone (Heimer 2024). The perfect storm for a fatal opioid overdose is one who has left treatment unprotected by MOUD, now has a low tolerance to opioids due to a window of sobriety and is more than likely isolated due to feelings of shame for using again. Please relay the hotline number to those struggling, because it may save their life and give them a second chance to live life. With strong community support from all sides, we can end the opioid epidemic in our community. For more information, please reach out to Luis Ramirez ext. 5334, our Tribal Opioid Response Coordinator in the BH/HPS Department or Charles Rodriguez ext. 5278 or Ethan Wolfe ext. 5303 in the Research and Student Development Department. You can also utilize our “Grab N’ Go” fentanyl testing strips located outside of our office, no questions asked.
It is never too early to start the conversation with your children about substance use and healthy coping mechanisms. If you would like support, please reach out to our Behavioral Health Department for pointers on how to start that conversation with your children. Take care of yourself, keep your loved ones close, and support your neighbors.
If you would like to contribute to our Opioid Study, either by Survey or Key Informant Interview, scan the QR code below or contact Ethan Wolfe ext. 5303 or Charles Rodriguez ext. 5278

