To begin October Drug Awareness Month, FentanylSolution.org will post a dedication video to the loved ones lost to
fentanyl poisoning, our ‘Forever Angels’ on all social media platforms. We encourage anyone who would like an angel included in this video to submit their dedication to the form below.
Submissions must be received no later than 5:00pm September 22, 2023 to be guaranteed inclusion in the video. We will do our best to process late submissions,
but any submission after the deadline may not be able to be included in the video. We will also play the video at our Fight Fentanyl event on October 7, 2023. You do not have to be in attendance at the Fight Fentanyl event to submit for the Forever Angels Dedication–although
we encourage as many of you as we can to attend. For those interested in having their Forever Angel on a banner at our fall events in addition to the video, you can make a donation in their honor and specify your desire to have them included on the banner. This banner will be present at all official Fentanyl Solution events through 2023.
Banner Dedication
Please click the link below and choose Tribute Dedication. You can put the name of your Forever Angel write “Banner Dedication”.
Questions?
Please reach out to shane@fentanylsolution.org
The World Affairs Council of Orange County presents:
Unraveling the Deadly Grip of Fentanyl on America & The World
featuring:
State Senator Tom Umberg
California is facing an unprecedented drug crisis both in scale and nature, requiring timely legislative responses. Fentanyl, a type of synthetic opioid, is responsible for over two-thirds of drug-related deaths, which spiked last year to 21,000 in California alone. The crisis is especially prevalent in Orange County, with deaths by fentanyl overdose reported to have gone up by 177%, and more potent analogs of fentanyl continued to be found. Moreover, fentanyl is often unknowingly consumed by individuals who believe they are taking other drugs, meaning that the fatal risk of a fentanyl overdose is not taken into consideration by those accidentally taking them, resulting in preventable deaths. Fentanyl precursors are largely sourced from abroad, in places like China and India, which are then shipped to Mexico, where most production takes place. Collaboration with these countries to crack down on fentanyl’s production and movement is integral if wish to halt the fentanyl epidemic in the United States.
To tackle this urgent crisis, Senator Tom Umberg proposes several legislative measures: Senate Bill 60, aimed at preventing drug sales on social media, a main outlet for illicit drugs for the youth; Senate Bill 250, expanding the 9-1-1 Good Samaritan Law and providing fentanyl immunity, encouraging people to report their dealers; Senate Concurrent Resolution 39, establishing National Fentanyl Awareness Day; and Senate Bill 44, also known as Alexandra’s Law, which aims to hold fentanyl sellers accountable for homicide and prevent fentanyl-related deaths through warnings.
An In-Person Dinner Event
Date & Time:
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
5:30 PM: Reception
6:30 PM: Dinner & Main Program
Location:
To be announced at a later date
Tickets:
To be announced at a later date
Thank you to our community partner, ClearSaves!
ClearSaves is an altruistic nonprofit endeavor fervently committed to engendering positive change within society by championing harm reduction. Through its innovative modus operandi, ClearSaves aspires to furnish the populace with vital resources that facilitate the safeguarding of human lives from the perilous peripheries of the opioid crisis. Check out the ClearSaves table at our event for resources and information on how you can help.
Thank you to our community partner, FentanylSolution.org!
FentanylSolution.org’s mission is to deliver comprehensive education, powerful advocacy, and unwavering community support to eradicate fentanyl deaths in the United States. Let us know how we can partner with you or your organization to make a difference. Check out the Fentanyl Solution booth at our event for more information and resources on the fentanyl crisis!
Speaker Bio: Thomas J. Umberg
State Senator Thomas J. Umberg is the Chair of the Senate’s Judiciary Committee. He is a retired U.S. Army Colonel, former federal criminal prosecutor, four-term state legislator, small business owner, and was the Deputy Drug Czar for President Clinton.
Senator Umberg began his military service at the Korean DMZ and was deployed overseas for three tours – totaling over five years. In addition to his overseas deployments, Colonel Umberg was assigned as a paratrooper with the Army Special Operations Command and the XVIII Airborne Corps.
As a federal and military prosecutor, Senator Umberg prosecuted numerous white collar, civil rights, murder, and sexual assault crimes. He successfully tried over 100 cases to verdict or judgment.
Senator Umberg served as Deputy Drug Czar for President Bill Clinton where he was responsible for foreign drug interdiction, counter-drug intelligence, and international drug policy. Umberg has a deep understanding of the strategies and resources we need to stop the current opioid epidemic and to put an end to senseless gun violence in our communities.
Senator Umberg also served three terms in the State Assembly, representing central Orange County. During this time, he worked across party lines, authored 76 laws, and brought more than $563 million in funds to Orange County.
Senator Umberg founded and built a successful veteran-owned small business in Orange County, recognized as one of California’s preeminent boutique law firms by Best Lawyers and The Daily Journal. Senator Umberg knows how to run a business and is a strong advocate for local business owners helping them to cut red tape and streamline unnecessary regulation.
Senator Umberg and his wife, Brigadier General (retired) Robin Umberg, have three children and seven grandchildren.
Education:
University of California, Los Angeles – Bachelor of Arts
University of California, College of Law, San Francisco – Juris Doctor
US Army War College — Master of Strategic Studies
Committees:
Chair of Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee
Senate Housing Committee
Senate Transportation Committee
Joint Committee on Rules
Speaker Bio: Judge (ret.) James Gray
Jim Gray retired after serving as a trial court judge for 25 years here in Orange County. After graduating from UCLA he was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Costa Rica, and after graduating from USC Law School
served as a criminal defense attorney in the US Navy JAG Corps. Thereafter he was a federal prosecutor in Los Angeles. While on the Court he founded Peer Court, which now takes real juvenile delinquency cases to 14 Orange County high schools, where they empanel a jury of high school students who ask questions to the subject, who has already acknowledged involvement in the offenses. Then that jury recommends a sentence to a real judge and, if the subject successfully completes the sentence, the underlying charges are dismissed, and the subject does not have a record. Judge Gray is committed to the WACOC, and is one of its prior chairs.
Fentanyl Awareness Rally
On Saturday, May 20th, 2023, Anaheim, California witnessed a remarkable event aimed at raising awareness about the devastating impact of fentanyl addiction. The Voices for Awareness and Facing Fentanyl Concert and Car Show, hosted by Anthony “Elvis” Beltran, brought together individuals, organizations, and communities to address the growing concern of fentanyl abuse and its life-threatening consequences. Among the passionate participants was the dedicated team from FentanylSolution.org, who actively contributed to the event’s success.
Uniting Through Music, Speakers, and Naloxone Distribution:
The event showcased a diverse range of activities that captivated attendees and created an environment of support and understanding. Live music performances by Chill Aguilar, Migs Whiskey, and Swinging Johnny added an uplifting spirit to the event, bringing people together through the power of music. Alongside the lively tunes, attendees shared their experiences and knowledge, shedding light on the harrowing realities of fentanyl addiction and its impact on individuals, families, and communities with FentanylSolution.org.
One of the critical initiatives undertaken during the event was the distribution of naloxone, a life-saving medication used to reverse opioid overdoses. Various organizations, including FentanylSolutions.org, provided naloxone kits, Kloxxado, with a unique addition – custom naloxone clip-on pouches, making access to this crucial medication even more convenient. This effort aimed to equip individuals with the means to save lives in the event of a fentanyl overdose.
Empowering Families and Sharing Stories:
The event proved to be a powerful platform for families and individuals impacted by fentanyl addiction to share their stories. Many attendees were recovering from fentanyl addictions themselves or had lost loved ones to fentanyl poisoning. The event provided them with an opportunity to voice their experiences, raising awareness about the factors that contribute to fentanyl addiction.
One significant takeaway from the event was the ease with which individuals can fall into addiction due to legitimate injuries and the subsequent challenges faced in accessing proper pain management. Issues such as discontinued prescriptions, the high cost of medication, or a loss of insurance coverage can inadvertently push individuals towards the dangerous black market, where fentanyl is increasingly prevalent. The harrowing truth is that what starts as a legitimate need for pain relief can quickly spiral into a life-threatening addiction.
Contributing to the Fight against Fentanyl: Janice M. Celeste, the President & CEO of FentanylSolution.org and board member, Tina Burke, actively participated in raising awareness about fentanyl addiction. They engaged in interviews with DopeSick for their documentaries, lending FentanylSolution.org’s expertise and insights to highlight the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to tackle this crisis. By sharing their knowledge and experience, Celeste and Burke played an instrumental role in amplifying the voices of those affected by fentanyl addiction and working towards meaningful change.
Moving forward, it is crucial to build upon the success of this event and continue to bring organizations together as a united front to fight the war against fentanyl. By working together, organizations can raise awareness, provide support, and ultimately save lives.