Skip to main content
News Releases » MPUSD to Host Drug Awareness Panel with Montage Health, Ohana and Sun Street Centers to Address Fentanyl and Other Drug-related Issues

MPUSD to Host Drug Awareness Panel with Montage Health, Ohana and Sun Street Centers to Address Fentanyl and Other Drug-related Issues

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 28, 2022


Contact: 

Marci McFadden, Chief of Communications & Engagement

831-706-6971

 

MPUSD to Host Drug Awareness Panel with Montage Health, Ohana and Sun Street Centers to Address Fentanyl and Other Drug-related Issues

 

Monterey, CA – The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District has assembled a panel of community experts to provide parents, students, staff and the community with information about drug awareness and prevention. 

The types of drug issues administrators are seeing on school campuses include a significant increase in the use of marijuana that is being ingested through vaping devices. Additionally, there has been a considerable increase in the use of pills, most of which are counterfeit and can contain deadly doses of fentanyl. Fentanyl has been found in other illegal drugs, such as cocaine and methamphetamine.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration indicates that 42% of pills tested for fentanyl contained at least 2 mg of fentanyl, which is considered a lethal dose. Between January 2020 and January 2021, overdose deaths involving opioids rose 38.1%. MPUSD recently partnered with Montage Health on two informational videos - Student Safety Resources: What is Fentanyl (Spanish) and How to Use Narcan - to educate students and families on the dangers of fentanyl. 

During the upcoming Town Hall, MPUSD will release two new educational videos - How to Reverse an Opioid Overdose and Substance Use and Awareness Prevention.

May 4, 2022
6 p.m.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School of the Arts
1713 Broadway Avenue
Seaside
*The event will also be streamed virtually: the.mpusd.net/may4townhall*

Panel includes:

  • Dr. Reb Close, Montage Health
  • Dr. Susan Swick, Ohana
  • Anna Foglia, CEO, Sun Street Centers
  • Donnie Everett, Assistant Superintendent, Monterey Peninsula USD

 

The panel discussion will focus on four areas that address:

  • Therapeutic/Psychology: Reasons why teens use or experiment with drugs, how to address adolescent drug/alcohol use, types of support, parenting tips
  • Medical: What parents should look for, family physician role, available medication to treat (e.g., unveil updated Naloxone/Narcan video)
  • Treatment: adolescent assessment and treatment options
  • School Support: school district’s role, types of supports available

 

# # #

 

About Monterey Peninsula Unified School District

 

The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District is home to approximately 9,600 students in grades transitional kindergarten through 12th grade. The district also houses preschool and adult education. The district is built on a solid foundation of effective instruction, positive school culture, systems of support, and collaborative leadership. The district is nestled along the Monterey Bay, and stretches from the city of Marina to the north to the city of Monterey to the south, and includes the communities of Del Rey Oaks, Marina, Monterey, Sand City and Seaside.