Oxnard Police Department – Incident Press Release
On December 22, 2020, the City of Oxnard Police Department and Emergency Medical Services responded to five calls for service involving drug overdoses in a ten hour period. Two of the five incidents were fatal overdoses.
At 3:35 p.m., Oxnard police officers and EMS were dispatched to a suspected heroin overdose in a North Oxnard business parking lot. EMS attempted lifesaving efforts, unfortunately the 40 year old male victim was pronounced deceased on scene.
At 7:04 p.m., the Oxnard Police Department received a second call for service at North Rose Avenue and the 101 freeway regarding a subject unconscious and not breathing. EMS arrived on-scene and administered Naloxone which revived the 29 year old male. The victim was transported to the hospital for further care.
At 7:35 p.m., the Oxnard Police Department received a call for service regarding a subject unconscious and not breathing at Ninth Street and B Street. Prior to EMS arrival, a bystander administered Naloxone which revived the 49 year old female victim. The female victim was transported by EMS to a local hospital for an overdose from suspected opiate use.
At 11:26 p.m., the Oxnard Police Department received a call for service regarding a subject unconscious and not breathing inside a business restroom located in the 1200 block of South Victoria Avenue. EMS attempted lifesaving efforts, unfortunately the 36 year old male victim was pronounced deceased on scene.
On December 23, 2020 at 1:26 a.m., the Oxnard Police Department received a call for service regarding a subject unconscious and not breathing in a business parking lot located in the 1900 block of North Rose Avenue. Officers arrived on scene, administered two doses of Naloxone, and began CPR. The 29 year old male victim was revived and transported to a local hospital by EMS for further treatment.
In the United States, approximately 115 people die each day as the result of overdosing from opioids. The addiction to pain relievers such as Hydrocodone, Oxycontin, Roxicodone has caused a dramatic increase in Heroin and Fentanyl use in Ventura County. Heroin is cheaper and a more readily available alternative to opioid pills. Heroin is often cut and mixed with fentanyl to increase the potency and profitability of the drug. Fentanyl is approximately 50 times stronger than heroin and is lethal in very small dosages. A lethal dosage amount could be as little as the size of three grains of salt.
The Oxnard Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) has recently made an increase in seizures of Fentanyl and Heroin. The opioid epidemic crosses all demographics and boundaries. The rate of addiction and overdoses have changed the lives of the nation and Ventura County residents. Very few people can say they do not know somebody who is not affected by the epidemic. Victims range from family members, friends, church members, co-workers, associates to professionals, basically all walks of life. Opioid pill addiction often starts from painkiller use as the result of an injury or surgery or recreational use of opioid pills and progresses to heroin dependency.
Law enforcement in Ventura County has been collaborating with agencies such as Ventura County Behavioral Health to save lives and combat the opioid epidemic. Oxnard Police Department patrol officers carry and have administered Naloxone to overdose victims.
In addition, Ventura County Behavioral Health provides Naloxone kits for family members or people living with an individual struggling with opiate/opioid addiction. Naloxone kits have saved the lives of numerous individuals since being distributed to family members or friends. The administration of Naloxone restores breathing / repository system, which buys vital time until EMS arrives.
If you know someone struggling with opioid addiction or drug dependency please refer to the Ventura County Behavioral Health for a list of resources available at www.venturacountyresponds.org. Opioid education is the first and most vital step to combat the epidemic.
VICTIMS: 40 year old male Oxnard resident
29 year old male Oxnard resident
49 year old female Oxnard resident
36 year old male Oxnard resident
29 year old male Oxnard resident
LOCATION: 2300 Block of North Rose Avenue, Oxnard
North Rose Avenue @ 101 Freeway, Oxnard
Ninth Street @ B Street, Oxnard
1200 Block of South Victoria Avenue, Oxnard
1900 Block of North Rose Avenue, Oxnard
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