Butte County Grand Jury • 2022-2023 • Agency Response

Butte Interagency Narcotics Task Force F Superior Court of California F I County of Butte I*

Published: August 18, 2022 3 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 4 findings

F1
According to statistics provided by BINTF, deaths in Butte County due to overdose from Fentanyl and methamphetamine have been on a steady increase. The Respondents agree with the finding. Fentanyl related overdose deaths quadrupled in 2021 in comparison with 2020. Methamphetamine related overdose deaths increased over 600% in 2021 in comparison with 2019. These statistics are consistent with both state and national trends. According to statistics provided by BINTF, 16-20 and university age groups in Butte County are
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
BINTF budget to include more resources for outreach and education to combat aggressive marketing techniques being used by controlled substance providers by July 1, 2023. The Respondents agree with the recommendation identifying the need for more outreach and education to the public to combat the aggressive marketing techniques of Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTO's). The COVID-19 pandemic essentially eliminated most requests for public presentations by BINTF. Despite these limitations, BINTF has continued to inform the public through a variety of forums, to include: Providing two virtual presentations to the Butte/Glenn Opioid Safety Coalition within the past year; Public release of the 2021 BINTF Annual Report, which highlighted the dangerous trend of aggressive marketing techniques by DTO's, specifically relating to Fentanyl; Public release of comprehensive Illicit Drug Overdose statistics for Butte County; Media releases regarding significant investigations into the trafficking of these dangerous substances. BINTF will also ensure a comprehensive effort is made, to include collaboration with the Butte County Office of Education and our local school districts, to provide education and outreach to all demographics, regarding the dangers of Fentanyl and other dangerous substances. With the recent designation of Butte County as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), additional resources, including funding, will likely be available to increase the outreach and educational efforts of BINTF. Gillick Way, Oroville, CA 95965 (530) 538-2261 Butte County Probation • Butte County District Attorney • Butte County Sheriff • California Highway Patrol • Chico Police Gridley-Biggs Police • Oroville Police • Paradise Police
F2
being targeted by aggressive cartel marketing. The Respondents agree with the finding. Drug Trafficking Organizations market fentanyl to all demographics, including a younger demographic, by producing fentanyl in colored powders and pills that make it appear innocuous and visually appealing. Gillick Way, Oroville, CA 95965 (530) 538-2261 Butte County Probation • Butte County District Attorney • Butte County Sheriff • California Highway Patrol • Chico Police Gridley-Biggs Police • Oroville Police • Paradise Police
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
BINTF implement methods to educate the public regarding the effectiveness of Narcan by July 1, 2023. The Respondents agree with the recommendation to implement methods to educate the public regarding the effectiveness of Naloxone (Narcan). Those efforts have already begun. A press conference held by the Chico Police Department in December of last year highlighted the use of Naloxone by a Chico Police Officer on a person suffering from a severe opioid overdose. In addition, the BINTF Commander was able to speak both to the dangers of fentanyl and the value of Naloxone due to those dangers. Opportunities such as these will continue to be sought by BINTF. Respectfully submitted, Michael O'Brien BINTF Commander nesii Michael L. Ramsey Butte County District Attorney BINTF Board Chair - 2022 5 Gillick Way, Oroville, CA 95965 (530) 538-2261 Butte County Probation • Butte County District Attorney • Butte County Sheriff • California Highway Patrol • Chico Police Gridley-Biggs Police • Oroville Police • Paradise Police
F3
There is a strong relationship between illegal drug use and child endangerment, with an impact on foster care. The Respondents agree with the finding. The statistics and real life examples point to the devastating impacts substance abuse imposes on families, especially children. The Drug Endangered Children program (DEC), instituted first in Butte County decades ago, remains a critical function of BINTF. DEC provides a "safety net" for those children found in dangerous environments by BINTF Agents in the course of their investigations.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
The following represents that response:
No recommendations for this finding

* This report's PDF did not contain easily extractable text and required Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for analysis. There may be minor errors in the extracted findings and recommendations due to OCR limitations with scanned documents.