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San Bernardino County Youth Opioid Response

Access to an evidence-based continuum of care for youth in Southern California who are at risk or have an opioid use disorder

Prescription opioid misuse is a risk factor for developing opioid use disorder (OUD) and is especially prevalent among youth. The San Bernardino County Youth Opioid Response (SBCYOR), begun in August 2019, was formed to explore best practices for youths at risk of OUD or overdose, focusing on individuals aged 12-24, many in San Bernardino County's correction system. It consists of a coalition of stakeholders in healthcare, behavioral health, public education, law enforcement, emergency medical services (EMS) agencies, and juvenile detention centers throughout San Bernardino County, California.

The design and implementation of SBCYOR focuses on four goals:

  • Decrease the morbidity and mortality of the opioid crisis in individuals aged 12-24
  • Increase access to effective treatment including medications for OUD to these individuals
  • Improve continuity of care for these individuals
  • Decrease the stigma associated with OUD within the community

SBCYOR utilizes a strategy of collaboration, prevention, risk mitigation, medication, psychological treatment, and community outreach to strive for these goals, overcoming the fragmentation of communication and coordination in care between various stakeholders and systems, identifying at-risk youth, and providing access to an evidence-based continuum of care for those that need it.  

This program is a part of and funded through the California Youth Opioid Response (YOR California) project. More information on the program can be found in the peer-reviewed article here and the summary here. Contact information can be found here. 

Successful partnership resulting in 6,718 individuals screened, 221 referred for evaluation, 63 receiving behavioral health treatment, and 42 receiving medications for OUD. 

Continuum of Care
Prevention
Treatment
Type of Evidence
Peer-reviewed
Response Approach
Early Intervention
Medications for Opioid Use Disorder
Peer-reviewed Article
San Bernardino County Youth Opioid Response: Improving Access to Evidence-Based Medical Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder
Sustainability of Treatment Programs Utilizing Medications for Opioid Use Disorders in Incarcerated Young Adults
Related Resources
Management of Opioid Misuse and Opioid Use Disorders Among Youth
Targeting Youth to Prevent Later Substance Use Disorder: An Underutilized Response to the US Opioid Crisis
Youth and the Opioid Epidemic
Opioid Misuse and Opioid Use Disorders in Adolescents
Evidence-Based Interventions for Adolescent Opioid Use Disorder: What Might Work for High-Risk Ohio Counties?
The Opioid Epidemic: A Needed Focus On Adolescents And Young Adults
The Impact of the Opioid Epidemic on Children and Adolescents
Addressing a Crisis: Cross-Sector Strategies to Prevent Adolescent Substance Use and Suicide
Understanding the Links Between Adolescent Trauma and Substance Abuse: A Toolkit for Providers
The Ripple Effect: The Impact of the Opioid Epidemic on Children and Families
Use of Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in Criminal Justice Settings

Evidence of Program Effectiveness

From the program's beginning in August 2019 to May, 5,693 individuals were screened (the majority of whom were Hispanic), 95 were referred for evaluation, 57 received behavioral health treatment, and 21 received medications for OUD. ((Neeki et al., 2020)

The program self-reports updated numbers: 6,718 screened, 221 referred for evaluation, 63 received behavioral health treatment, and 42 received medications for OUD. 

"Early results of SBCYOR suggested that the coalition has enrolled youths in MAT programs and provided an integrated response, showing promising results, and has successfully partnered with community stakeholders." (Neeki et al., 2020)