Winter 2026 l Together, We Save Lives

PARTNER HIGHLIGHT

Ventura County Public Defender's Office

Building Trust and Saving Lives in the Heart of the Community

Since joining the Ventura County Overdose Prevention Program in October 2024, the Ventura County Public Defender’s Office has become one of the county’s most active naloxone distribution partners. Recognizing that many of their clients are among those most affected by the opioid crisis, the team felt a deep responsibility to take part in the solution, raising awareness, reducing harm, and saving lives.

Every Tuesday morning, the office sets up a naloxone distribution table in the Hall of Justice courtyard, reaching hundreds of residents from across Ventura County. There, staff provide free naloxone kits, fentanyl test strips, and bilingual educational materials to anyone in need, clients, families, courthouse staff, or passersby. Each interaction becomes a moment of education and hope.

One young woman who stopped by shared that her younger brother had overdosed four times. Though he was in recovery, she wanted to be prepared in case of relapse. “She was incredibly grateful to receive naloxone and have access to a tool that could save her brother’s life,” staff recalled. Encounters like hers remind the team why access to these resources is essential.

These conversations have also deepened trust between staff and clients. “Whether someone is in active addiction or recovery, every person we encounter is treated with respect and without judgment,” they shared. “We want clients to know their safety and well-being are our top priorities.”

Having overdose prevention tools on hand has strengthened how the office approaches advocacy and client care. Staff now meet people where they are offering compassion first, with the hope that today’s harm-reduction moment becomes tomorrow’s recovery milestone. “Today, we might hand someone a naloxone kit, with the hope that a year from now we’ll be celebrating that same client’s graduation from a recovery program,” one team member said.

The Public Defender’s Office embodies the program’s larger mission: reducing overdose deaths, increasing access to harm-reduction resources, and improving community awareness. By expanding distribution to outreach events and Fresh Start record-expungement clinics, they’re ensuring that lifesaving education reaches those who need it most.

Participation in the program has even helped shift public perception. Staff note that more residents,  from parents and educators to law enforcement and jurors are stopping by their table to ask questions, take materials, and learn. “Our message is clear: everyone deserves safety, dignity, and the opportunity to recover.”

Through their leadership and compassion, the Ventura County Public Defender’s Office continues to demonstrate what it means to serve the community in every sense of the word, meeting people with empathy, equipping them with knowledge, and giving them another chance at life.

New Partner Highlight

We’re honored to welcome The Nature Conservancy in California as a new institutional partner in Ventura County’s Overdose Prevention Program. The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive.

In Ventura County, The Nature Conservancy stewards protected lands that serve as vital open space and natural habitat.  Staff and volunteers have encountered individuals experiencing homelessness on these lands and, at times, substance use and related paraphernalia. Wanting to respond with care, preparedness, and safety, the organization engaged in overdose response training in November and now has overdose rescue kits available on the properties they protect.

Team members share that what once felt frightening now feels manageable. With training and tools in place, staff and volunteers feel more confident responding to an overdose if one were to occur and better equipped to support individuals they encounter with compassion. Through this partnership, The Nature Conservancy is helping ensure Ventura County’s protected lands remain safe, welcoming places for everyone.

🔗 Learn more about The Nature Conservancy in California:https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/california/?vu=california

Know another organization serving individuals impacted by substance use in Ventura County?
Share the opportunity to be part of the Ventura County Overdose Prevention Program and help expand access to life-saving education and resources across our community.

DATA COLLECTION UPDATE

UPCOMING VIRTUAL TRAININGS & SUPPORT

Overdose Prevention Institutional Training (Virtual)

Who this is for:
Staff and volunteers at institutional partner sites who want to know what to do if they witness an overdose.

This virtual training focuses on real-time overdose response—what to look for, how to act quickly and safely, and what steps to take after naloxone is used. 

Participants will learn how to:

• Recognize the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose

• Identify people who may be at higher risk

• Respond confidently in an overdose situation

• Understand next steps after naloxone use, including follow-up procedures

📅 March 12 , April 9, or May 14 | 12:00 PM
⏱ 30 minutes | Virtual — join from anywhere in Ventura County

Click Here To Register Today

Ventura County Overdose Prevention Educator Training (Virtual)

Who this is for:
Current distribution sites and educators providing overdose prevention education and overdose rescue kits.

This virtual training equips participants to educate others about overdose prevention and  distribute life-saving overdose rescue kits within their programs and communities.

Participants will explore:

• National and Ventura County overdose trends

• Commonly used opioids, both prescribed and illicit

• How to recognize and respond to an overdose

• Local program data and countywide response efforts

• Best practices for delivering overdose prevention education and training

📅 March 12 , April 9, or May 14  | 10:30 AM
⏱ 1 hour | Virtual — accessible for teams and educators across the county

Click Here To Register Today

Virtual Technical Assistance Support

Who this is for:
Anyone seeking guidance, clarity, or support related to overdose prevention efforts.

Virtual Technical Assistance sessions offer one-on-one support tailored to your questions and goals—whether you’re new to overdose prevention or looking to strengthen existing efforts.

Support topics include:

• Training and education planning

• Naloxone storage, handling, and inventory support

• Restocking guidance

• Assistance with naloxone applications

• Data collection and reporting support

⏱ 1 hour | Virtual
📅 Click Here to Schedule

A Countywide Leader in Prevention: Medical Examiner Receives Pillar of Prevention Award

On January 28^th, 2026, the Ventura County Behavioral Health Prevention Team and COAST awarded the 2025-2026 “Pillar of Prevention” Award to the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office.  Since the inception of the COAST program in 2018, the Medical Examiner has been a driving force in preventing fatal overdose across the County.  Key contributions of the Medical Examiner in fighting the Opioid Crisis include standardizing death scene preservation, annually reporting fatal overdose data for analysis and operational decision-making, provision of time and mentorship for those working in and around substance use/overdose prevention, and mentoring prescribers within the county on pertinent topics regarding prescription opioids and other scheduled medications.  Most recently, the Medical Examiner has led the charge and acted as an alarm on the emerging threat of Kratom/7-OH products being sold in our communities.  The Medical Examiner’s exceptional devotion to our County is a clear example and inspiration for those of us working to reduce fatal overdose, and we are proud and grateful to work alongside their efforts.  

Help Expand Access to Naloxone in Ventura County

Ventura County’s COAST website includes a public “Get Naloxone” page that helps community members find overdose prevention education, rescue kits, and naloxone dispenser locations across the county.

We’re working to expand this resource by adding more education and distribution sites to an interactive map—making it easier for anyone seeking naloxone to know where to go.

Interested in being listed?
Email overdoseprevention@venturacounty.gov with:

• Organization name

• Address

• Hours of operation

• Whether an appointment is needed for education and/or rescue kits

Together, we can ensure life-saving resources are visible and accessible throughout Ventura County.

Join the Community Overdose Awareness & Solutions Team

We’re inviting our current partners in the Overdose Prevention Program to be a part of the Community Overdose Awareness & Solutions Team — a collaborative group dedicated to addressing overdose challenges and advancing solutions across Ventura County.

The team meets every other month, and our next meeting is:

📅 Wednesday, February 18
🕣 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM
📍 AFMC Auditorium, Ventura County Medical Center
300 Hillmont Avenue, Ventura, CA 93003

For those who prefer to participate remotely, a virtual attendance option is available:
🔗 Join via Teams: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/24205037299022?p=jbTAjoLRbwpczpV6ri

If you are interested in being part of the team or would like more information, please email: overdoseprevention@venturacounty.gov

We look forward to your continued partnership in this important work!