Partner Spotlight
Congratulations to our partners at the Orange County Drug-Free Coalition for helping to turn the tide of the drug crisis in the community.
Director Thomas Hall gave us his insights into the significant drop in drug-related fatalities:
“These decreases are the result of a coordinated, community‑wide effort led by the Orange County Drug‑Free Coalition. Coalition partners include several non-profit organizations, including Victoria’s Voice.
Through public health coalition partners and non-profit agencies, we’ve expanded access to medication‑assisted treatment, increased naloxone distribution and training, strengthened partnerships with behavioral health providers, and focused outreach on the people most at risk.
But just as important is our partnership with law enforcement and Fire Rescue. Public safety teams are often the first to see overdose trends on the ground. They respond to emergencies in real time, talking with families, and witnessing firsthand the impact of substance use.
When they share what they’re seeing with public health partners, we can respond faster — whether that means deploying naloxone, adjusting outreach, or directing resources to a hotspot.
Because these teams communicate constantly, we can match prevention and treatment efforts with what officers and firefighters are seeing on the street.
We use information from first responders to assist Project Overdose to target areas for naloxone distribution and Largest Heart to distribute fentanyl test strips. One Heart for Women and Children have monthly food drops for communities struggling with food insecurity. It’s a true public health–public safety model, and it’s saving lives.
Even with this progress, I keep in mind that every life lost to overdose is one too many. I’m encouraged by the direction we’re heading, but substance use disorder is still a serious challenge for many families in our community.
The good news is that the partnership between public health and public safety is stronger than ever. We’re going to keep building on that momentum, expanding services, and making sure residents have the support they need to recover and thrive.
The take‑home message is hope — and shared responsibility. These numbers show that when a community comes together, we can save lives. Public health, public safety, treatment providers, and residents all play a role.
If you’re a family member, friend, or neighbor of someone struggling with drug use, you can be the connection that gets them into care. Call 407‑RECOVER 24 hours a day to speak with a person with lived experience who can help you or a loved one find support.” – Dr. Thomas Hall