RON FREITAS
District Attorney
San Joaquin County
Office of the District Attorney
Home / Community / Fentanyl Outreach
One Pill Can Kill Banner

District Attorney Ron Freitas Warns About the Dangers of Fentanyl Use in San Joaquin County

Data from San Joaquin County shows that 48 people died from fentanyl overdoses in 2021. The fentanyl overdose death rate in 2021 was 20 times higher than in 2018. Over half the victims were between 14-35 years old. The trend of fentanyl deaths among young people are a result of the substance being found in false prescription painkillers bought off the street. Because of fentanyl’s highly addictive nature, it’s become popular among illegal drug manufacturers.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. It is often mixed with other drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, without the user's knowledge. This can lead to accidental overdoses.

There are two types of fentanyl: pharmaceutical fentanyl and illicitly manufactured fentanyl. Both are considered synthetic opioids. Pharmaceutical fentanyl is prescribed by doctors to treat severe pain, especially after surgery and for advanced-stage cancer.

However, most recent cases of fentanyl-related overdose are linked to illicitly manufactured fentanyl, which is distributed through illegal drug markets for its heroin-like effect. It is often added to other drugs because of its extreme potency, which makes drugs cheaper, more powerful, more addictive, and more dangerous.

The opioid epidemic has had a devastating impact on individuals, families, and communities in San Joaquin County, and the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office is working to address this crisis. This includes increasing access to addiction treatment and overdose prevention resources, as well as increasing public awareness about the dangers of opioids, including fentanyl.

The signs of a fentanyl overdose include:

  • Small, constricted pupils
  • Falling asleep or losing consciousness
  • Slow, weak, or no breathing
  • Choking or gurgling sounds
  • Limp body
  • Cold and/or clammy skin
  • Discolored skin, especially lips and nails

If you suspect someone has overdosed on fentanyl, call 911 immediately. Do not attempt to wake them up or give them anything to eat or drink.

If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid addiction, please reach out for help. You can find a number of resources available to help you get the support you need with the San Joaquin County Department of Public Health. Some of the programs it offers include:

  • Naloxone training: Naloxone is a medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. The department offers free training to anyone who wants to learn how to use it.
  • Medication-assisted treatment: This type of treatment combines medication with counseling to help people recover from opioid addiction. The department offers a number of medication-assisted treatment programs.
  • Support groups: There are a number of support groups available for people who are struggling with opioid addiction and their loved ones. The department offers a list of support groups on its website.
Schedule a Presentation about the Dangers of Fentanyl

Presented by Deputy District Attorney Cindy De Silva on behalf of District Attorney Ron Freitas, "The Dangers of Fentanyl" presentation brings a wealth of knowledge on the topics of drug abuse, how drugs function in the body and trigger addiction, why overdoses happen, and what children and adults can do to stop the spread of the dangerous drug Fentanyl. 

The presentations are tailored to the group to which they are being presented, whether that be 5th and 6th grade students, 7th and 8th grade students, high schoolers and recent graduates, college students and athletes, concerned parents, community service groups, faith-based groups, and government officials.

Fentanyl Program Speaker Request

FIRST Program

The San Joaquin County Fentanyl Intervention, Response, and Safety Team (FIRST) is an initiative led by District Attorney Ron Freitas to robustly safeguard the community from the detrimental effects of the opioid crisis. FIRST focuses on three main areas:

Education: Providing information to children and adults about the addiction crisis and how to resist the deceptive tactics of cartels and their criminal affiliates.

Prosecution: Strategically targeting and prosecuting high-level narcotics dealers, especially those trafficking fentanyl and significant quantities of other illicit drugs.

Partnerships: Collaborating with law enforcement and medical first responders to investigate fentanyl overdose-related deaths, identify responsible dealers, and prosecute them in accordance with current laws.

FIRST is active at the State Capitol, advocating for legislation to curb this crisis, and training law enforcement on investigative methods that comply with the Fourth Amendment and other legal standards. This critical initiative is funded by the County Board of Supervisors, reflecting their commitment to improving the quality of life in San Joaquin County, addressing the growing homeless population, and supporting families affected by the opioid crisis.

Additionally, FIRST works closely with several mothers who have lost children to fentanyl poisoning; these mothers participate in presentations to educate and warn children about the dangers of fentanyl.

Community outreach is being spearheaded by Metro Narcotics Deputy District Attorney, Cindy De Silva. A criminal prosecutor since 2001, Ms. De Silva has taken this State’s top honors as both a prosecutor and a speaker, being named the California Narcotics Officers Association’s “Prosecutor of the Year” in 2022, and the California District Attorneys Association’s “Instructor of the Year” in 2016. She was the “Stockton Crime Stopper of the Year” in 2009, and has spoken nationwide on topics relevant to the opioid crisis and narcotics investigations and prosecutions.

Within FIRST’s inaugural year, she reached nearly 10,000 students with her message on drug dangers, the addiction process, and healthy alternatives to deal with life’s stressors, and has spoken on the subject to hundreds of teachers, parents, law enforcement personnel, and concerned citizens as well. Her passion for this topic comes from her deeply held belief that the majority of crimes, from property crimes, to child neglect, to crimes of violence, are committed due to substance abuse and addiction, and that quality and length of life in our community will benefit immensely once people realize that drug use is not “victimless” and make the choice for a brighter future.