A new community education program launching in Santa Rosa addresses teen fentanyl use and youth gang violence, both of which have led to the deaths of young people over the last two years.
The new program, which begins today, comprises seven presentations taught by Santa Rosa Police Department officers and seeks to address an uptick in teen drug overdoses and weapons being found on school campuses, according to the police department.
On Feb. 22, three Santa Rosa City Schools students died from suspected fentanyl drug overdoses. Four days later, a 15-year-old was arrested at Elsie Allen High School for allegedly stabbing a classmate.
Last Tuesday, police officers returned to the school to arrest a student on suspicion of carrying a loaded gun on campus. This follows multiple arrests at local schools of students armed with knives and the fatal stabbing of a student in a classroom by a student in 2023.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of young lives and the ongoing threat posed by gangs and drugs in our schools,” said Santa Rosa Police Chief John Cregan. “Our priority is to ensure that students, parents, and educators have the tools, knowledge, and support they need to prevent these devastating issues from claiming more lives. These educational sessions will foster a much-needed dialogue and help students make informed decisions about their safety and well-being.”
“Our priority is to ensure that students, parents, and educators have the tools, knowledge, and support they need to prevent these devastating issues from claiming more lives.” Santa Rosa Police Chief John Cregan
Starting Tuesday, officers will present at five Santa Rosa schools, a youth center and at a town hall meeting about the dangers of fentanyl, understanding youth gang violence and prevention and how to find support resources for youth and families. The schedule is as follows:
- March 11 at 5:30 p.m. — Piner High School, 1700 Fulton Road.
- March 13 at 5:30 p.m. — Montgomery High School, 1250 Hahman Dr.
- March 15 at 1:00 p.m. — Townhall Meeting for Safer Communities hosted by Santa Rosa Councilwoman Natalie Rogers and Church Unstoppable at Church Unstoppable, 791 Lombardi Court.
- March 25 at 5:30 p.m. — Elsie Allen High School, 599 Bellevue Ave.
- March 26 at 5:30 p.m. — Santa Rosa High School, 1235 Mendocino Ave.
- March 27 at 5:30 p.m. — Maria Carrillo High School, 6975 Montecito Blvd.
- April 2 at 5:30 p.m. — Chop’s Teen Club, 509 Adams St.
The presentations are free to the public. Students, parents and school staff are encouraged to attend.
“We must work together — police, schools, parents, and students — to create a safer community for everyone,” Cregan added. “These presentations are just the beginning. We are committed to ongoing outreach and education to equip our community with the resources they need to combat fentanyl abuse and youth violence.”
More information is available on the police department’s community outreach page.