By: Alyssa Ramirez
Ana Olvera, from Kern County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, discussed drug use in Kern County and available recovery programs.
Q: In the past five years, what trends have you seen regarding substance abuse rates? Have they gone up or down, and is there an age range that has stuck out the most?
A: Great question. I don’t have a specific number in front of me, but having worked in this area for the last twenty years. In the last probably seven years, fentanyl and opioids in general have really become the most concerning. There are a large number of folks here in Kern County who have experienced overdoses because of fentanyl. And people in general are using more opioids than in the past.
This area in Kern County, because it is in the state of California, is a very active area in terms of methamphetamine use. That is still happening in our area, but probably not as much as in the past, twenty years ago, when I started. In terms of opioids, I would say young people are having more of the severe consequences from fentanyl. Because a lot of the time they might take a pill that they think are prescription pills, but it is a counterfeit pill that is contaminated with fentanyl. So they have never exposed their body to opioids in the past. Even a very small trace amount of fentanyl can cause an overdose in people who use it regularly. So when somebody is exposed to it by accident, it leads to an overdose, and unfortunately, a lot of times it is a fatal event for people when it’s their first time trying something.
In terms of other substances, I would say that we have seen a decrease in the number of high school students who are drinking, which is a good thing because alcohol is pretty damaging and also illegal for those who are under 21. But also, there is a lot of availability for things like synthetic marijuana through vaping, and that is concerning.”
Q: How have you seen youth be impacted by substance abuse?
A: Well, it could be because of their own experimentation with substances, but also the adults around them. If young people, let’s say in middle school or high school, are in homes when adults are using them regularly. Drink or experiment with other drugs. That really leaves a lot of the support and parenting nowhere. When parents are involved in their own substance use, it is really difficult to do a fair job of parenting. Or any emotional support, a lot of the time, stress really increases when there is substance abuse around. So that affects young people when they don’t have somebody that is available to them to provide for their basic needs. But also to talk to them, to support them in school and other activities. There are a lot of thoughts that are out there in the environment. A lot of young people think oh it’s really cool to do these drugs. It’s glamorized in music or tv shows. They are more likely to try them. Which can put them at risk of overdose or developing a substance abuse disorder.”
Q: What are some long-term effects that substance abuse has on individuals?
A: Substances that alter how we think, how we feel, and how we see things are damaging to the brain. Anytime someone puts a substance in their body, it changes how they perceive things. Means it’s impacting the brain’s ability to function correctly. It doesn’t mean if you have one drink, your brain is no longer going to work. But the more someone exposes themselves to toxic substances, the more likely they are to have problems with memory, concentration, and making decisions that are helpful.
Substances will impact the rational part of our brain. The part of the brain we use to make decisions, to figure things out and resist temptation. Depending on the substance, they impact the body in different ways. Alcohol, even though it is one of the more socially accepted substances, is one that damages the most systems in the body. It can impact not just the brain but the digestive system, heart, and liver, and your liver filters everything that goes through your body. So it is not a great thing.
If somebody develops a substance abuse disorder, that disease itself is progressive and long-term. So once somebody has a problem with drugs or alcohol, it doesn’t mean that they are doomed forever; they’re going to have a problem for the rest of their life. But it will have to be treated, and it might come back. Just like problems with high blood pressure, it can be controlled with medicine, but if something happens, it goes bad again. So the medicine has to be adjusted again. That’s the physical kind of long-term effect. But drugs cost a lot of money, and people will put responsibilities aside when they can’t help but to continue using. So it causes stress, and unfortunately, it can do a lot of damage to relationships. “
Q: What program is commonly used?
A: Substance use disorder treatment can come in very different types. So one that is available and in the community you might have heard of is a self -help meeting. So things like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Those are the places that are free and are everywhere in the community and are open to anyone. No one has to pay anything; you just join and get support from others that have done this before. Trying to stay away from drugs and alcohol. We recommend it to everybody because it gives people the opportunity to get in touch with others who’ve done this before and can provide support. There is also counseling that can happen a couple times a week at a clinic where they might talk to a therapist like myself. And they might be part of a group that has group therapy. Those discussions are very helpful because people can learn from each other in terms of how to make different choices about their ways.
Q: Last year, the public health department announced it was expanding its Narcan program to be included in the mobile health vehicle. Can you tell me a little about the Narcan program and the importance of increasing access and awareness about it in Kern County?
A: I can tell you about the Narcan even though I am not part of the public health department. I couldn’t say what they are doing in their program to expand. But Narcan is an overdose prevention, like a lifesaving medication. It’s really supposed to save someone’s life if they are experiencing an overdose. This is something that can be put in their nose, and it is just a spray. And what it will do is reverse the opioids. It will kick all the opioids off the brain receptors and help the person literally come back to life. This is important because anybody can be trained to use this. It’s good for two years, it doesn’t need to be refrigerated, and it can save somebody’s life. Just like some people are trained to do CPR and that can save someone’s life. Narcan is the same thing. If someone knows how to use and spray it in somebody’s nose, and they call 911, that can save their life. It is part of what can help our community and those who are using and in the moment when an overdose happens. But it’s not an ongoing treatment.
Q: What is your favorite part about helping our community here in Kern County?
A: I love that question. My favorite thing about the work I do is hearing about how people are able to turn their lives around. Because even though I told you about all the bad things that can happen from substance abuse. When people come into treatment, they work really hard to make changes. Very quickly, we can see all of a sudden we can see they get back to who they really are as a person. Substance use can really change the way a person acts. like all of a sudden someone starts lying, stealing, and doing things they normally wouldn’t do before they started using drugs. And when they are in treatment, they are able to make those changes. They see yes it is not easy, but with support from others who have done this before and from other people in the community. Good things happen when people get help. Again, sometimes we see people that have done well for some time, and then we see them again in treatment. It’s unfortunate that they come back, but it’s a good thing they come back. Because it means that this substance abuse disorder is not the end of their life. The more that you practice something, the better you get at it. So if it takes one time for people to make great changes, if it takes ten, we are going to help them each and every time.
Q: Is there anything else you would like the community to know?
A: There are various treatments available out there. And that depends on each person’s resources. For folks who have Medi-Cal, that’s one type of insurance; we provide those services. And we do the SUV access line. 1-866-266-4898, that number, my staff can ask some questions about, maybe the person’s history. And then they will send them to the right level of treatment they need. And the other thing I’ll add is that substance abuse disorders can be really difficult for families to address and to talk about, so it’s helpful if somebody is struggling themselves. It’s important for them to know that there is help out there. They just need to let us know, and we will see how we can help them. For families who love one who is using drugs and alcohol, it’s important for them to know there’s help out there. And that it’s important to encourage their loved ones to come and get help. Whether it’s with their doctor, calling our number, or going to AA or NA meetings. There are a lot of resources out there.
