US opioid crisis leads North County to hold drug prevention forum

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) — In light of America’s growing opioid crisis, law enforcement officials in North County held a drug prevention forum, with the focus being on addiction.

According to the Drug Enforcement and Administration-San Diego, opioid-related deaths totaled 64,000 last year. Overdoses kill more than 91 Americans every day. It’s an epidemic with tentacles across the country.

President Trump created a commission on the issue, which recently recommended it be declared a federal state of emergency.

In San Diego County, there are more prescription drug abuse deaths that deaths due to car crashes. Opioid-related deaths have been on the rise since 2015, with 253 people dying in 2016.

After one week of taking prescription drugs, a user will get addicted. Once addicted they will have to turn to street drugs such as heroin and fentanyl. 

The desire to shrink these grim statistics is why a drug prevention forum was held at Valley Center High, hoping that through education, these kids won’t even be tempted to try these fatal drugs.

The forum ended with a showing of "Chasing the Dragon", a documentary created by the FBI and DEA, featuring how seven innocent people fell into heroin addiction.The DEA is touring high schools around the country right now spreading awareness.