Local and federal law enforcement officials in Riverside, San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties on Thursday, Jan. 26, announced they have partnered on a public outreach campaign to help combat the deadly fentanyl epidemic.
United States Attorney Martin Estrada speaks about a new public service announcement highlighting the dangers of fentanyl during a press conference at the Riverside County District Attorney office as Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin, left, looks on in Riverside on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023. The PSA is called “Death in Disguise.”
Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin addresses the fentanyl crisis in the Inland Empire as he announces a new public service announcement highlighting the deadly drug called “Death in Disguise” Awareness Initiative during a press conference at the Riverside County Dictrict Attorney’s office in Riverside on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
All in attendance Thursday stressed the importance of education and public awareness in an effort to reduce fentanyl poisonings and reverse the epidemic’s alarming trajectory. In the Inland Empire in 2022, fentanyl-related deaths spiked 38% over the previous year, from 537 in 2020 to 742 in 2021. Statistics for 2022 are not yet available.
“The data and plain common sense tells us that criminal justice policies have an enormous effect on the choices and behavior or those who are criminally minded,” Hestrin said.