Substance misuse refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including illicit drugs. Given the size of substance misuse in Lake County, Hope Rising and its partners have chosen to expand evidence-based interventions, like policies, which influence the levels and patterns of substance use and related harm and interventions at the health care system level. Additionally, education, treatment, prevention for all substance abuse with special emphasis on perinatal substance misuse will be undertaken. Addiction can be overlooked as an illness and prevent persons from seeking help. Hope Rising aims to reduce the stigma around addiction.
“It’s definitely something bigger than each of the individual organizations. Hospitals are not incentivized to do things globally”
—Hospital Physician
Drug-induced deaths accounted for the 6th leading cause of premature death in Lake County in 2018. Lake County has the highest rate of drug-induced deaths in the state.
Compared to the prior value, Lake County is less and better than the previous measured value in 2017. This indicator shows the age-adjusted annual rate of opioid prescriptions, excluding buprenorphine, per 1,000 residents by patient location, showing relative number of all opioid prescriptions (any quantity) filled at a pharmacy.
The Age-Adjusted Death Rate due to All Opioid Overdose has been on the rise
Significantly better than the overall value
No significant difference with the overall value
Prevention starts at an early age
Substance misuse is said to run in families, with children learning from observing their parents. Teen alcohol abuse was a warning indicator for Lake County and alcohol is the most widely used substance among the nation’s young people and binge drinking and has been linked to risky health behaviors (e.g., unprotected sex, smoking), injuries, motor vehicle accidents, impaired cognitive functioning, poor academic performance, physical violence, and suicide attempts. Drinking during adolescence increases the likelihood of alcoholism in adulthood, and long-term health consequences of consumption including liver disease, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.
Perinatal Substance Misuse
Use of alcohol and illicit drugs during pregnancy is an important but often misunderstood problem. There is limited data on substance use during pregnancy because data regularly relies on self-reported use. Since pregnant women who use drugs and alcohol are often stigmatized, actual rates of substance use during pregnancy are likely higher than what is currently reported.
Indicators Related to Substance Misuse Treatment and Prevention
Programs and Initiatives
SafeRx
Our mission is to reduce the harm the opioid crisis has on Lake County. We provide education through presentations about the opioid crisis.
Find Your Way
In partnership with the California Youth Opioid Response (YOR California) project with the purpose of creating a continuum of accessible and effective youth-specific services. YOR California is working with local communities and stakeholders to prevent and reduce opioid overdose deaths and opioid disorders (OUD) among youth ages 12 - 24. This service is supported by a federal grant under the State Opioid Response program, with funding provided by the California Department of Health Care Services.
Request for SafeRx Narcan Trainings
Request a SafeRx Narcan training for yourself or your organization. If you have questions or concerns, please contact us.
Perinatal Wellness Task Force
More information coming soon.
Key Partners
Redwood Community Services
Our service mission is to empower communities for long term success. Making connections since 1995, Redwood Community Services has built a continuum of programs designed to ensure the best possible outcomes for our most vulnerable populations. From behavioral health to substance abuse, community based to residential, all RCS programs are built to empower, encourage, and sustain success while providing unconditional care and positive connections.