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San Mateo County Overdose Prevention Coalition Newsletter
August 2026
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Expanding Prevention, Education and Community Connections |
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The San Mateo County Overdose Prevention Coalition (OPC) works with residents and local organizations to prevent overdoses, reduce stigma and connect people with reliable support. This summer has been a season of growth for the OPC, and we are excited to share updates with you! Together with community partners, schools, healthcare providers, and residents we've expanded access to naloxone, launched new prevention initiatives, empowered youth leaders, and prepared for an exciting countywide awareness campaign. Thank you for helping build a healthier, safer San Mateo County.
Highlights:
✓ 97 naloxone boxes distributed at SamTrans Event
✓ 3-day Youth Prevention Academy completed
✓ August awareness campaign launching
✓ September Fentanyl High community screening scheduled
Volunteers at SamTrans' Naloxone Distribution Event
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Community Partners Distribute 97 Boxes of Naloxone at SamTrans Event |
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On July 1, SamTrans hosted a naloxone distribution event at the Sequoia/Redwood City transit center. Coalition members joined local organizations Voices of Recovery and H.O.P.E. to volunteer at the event and speak with pedestrians and local transit passengers during a busy afternoon with increased traffic for the U.S.-Bosnia World Cup soccer match. From 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., volunteers distributed 97 boxes of naloxone and shared treatment, recovery and overdose-prevention resources. The event built on a Naloxone Awareness and Community Safety event held by SamTrans in January. SamTrans continues to be a valuable partner in bringing life-saving information and resources directly to people throughout the county. Thank you to every coalition member and community partner who volunteered!
Anyone can get naloxone free from vending machines and naloxone stand boxes throughout the county. See the Where to get naloxone in San Mateo County map.
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From June 9–11, San Mateo County high school students participated in the Youth Substance Use Prevention and Advocacy Academy, a three-day leadership program created by the Coalition’s Youth and Schools Action Team. Developed with local education, health, and youth leadership partners, the Academy helped students build adaptive leadership, overdose prevention, harm reduction and community organizing skills while creating youth-led projects to bring back to their schools. Designed as a launchpad for ongoing youth leadership, the Academy equips students with the knowledge, confidence and tools to become peer educators and change agents in their school communities. Read more, including participant feedback, at the OPC website.
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Recently, the Coalition launched a multimedia project focused on overdose awareness, education and prevention. The project aims to:
- Raise awareness about overdose and the fentanyl crisis
- Reduce stigma surrounding substance use and recovery
- Help people recognize shared experiences
- Connect residents with local prevention and treatment resources and services
- Encourage more community members to become involved with the Coalition
The project will include social media content, educational and outreach materials, and a series of short video stories from community members about the impact that overdose and the fentanyl crisis have had on their lives. Filming for the video stories took place on June 25th and 26th. It was a powerful and moving experience for all those involved – we are deeply grateful to everyone who shared their experience and trusted us with their story.
Videos and other content will be distributed across San Mateo County Health social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, and X) and on the San Mateo County Overdose Prevention Coalition website.
As part of the larger multimedia campaign, we are also launching an overdose awareness social media campaign to coincide with International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31st. Keep an eye out for the content on San Mateo County Health’s social channels.
Follow @SMCHealth and share the campaign with your community!
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Thursday, September 24, 2026
6:00-8:15 p.m.
Carlmont High School Performing Arts Center, Belmont
The Youth and Schools Action Team will host a community screening of Fentanyl High, a documentary created by a high school student to explore youth substance use, peer pressure, addiction and the effects of fentanyl on school communities. The screening creates an opportunity for students, families, educators, and community members to learn together and continue honest conversations about prevention and support. For more information and tickets click here. |
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Coalition membership is open to people who live, work or engage in San Mateo County and support the Coalition’s vision of a county free of overdose through an empowered community. We’d love to expand our membership and offer many opportunities to participate!
- Attend quarterly General Membership meetings
- Join the Youth and Schools Action Team*
- Join the Unhoused and Other Vulnerable Populations Action Team*
- Volunteer at community events
- Share Coalition campaigns and resources
- Connect the Coalition with schools, service providers and community organizations
*Action teams meet virtually every quarter for one hour.
Our next quarterly general membership meeting will take place on Tuesday, December 15, 2026, from 1:30-2:30 p.m.. The meeting will include Coalition and campaign updates, action team reports, upcoming community activities and opportunities for members to participate.
Thank you for supporting our vision of a San Mateo County, free from overdose, through an empowered community!
Stay connected: Follow @SMCHealth, visit the Coalition website, and subscribe to the Coalition newsletter for updates and future opportunities to participate.
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