OVERDOSE PREVENTION COMMITTEE HOSTS FENTANYL SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT on campus

Pictured left to right: Dr. Francisco Ibarra, Detective Dean Cardinale, Mariya Leshchuk, CHSU-COM student.

Written by Mariya Leshchuk, 2nd Year Medical Student at CHSU-COM

On October 3rd, 2024, the Overdose Prevention Committee (formerly known as the Overdose Prevention Task Force, OPTF) at the California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM), hosted Detective Dean Cardinale for a presentation on campus. He is a fentanyl subject matter expert and seasoned law enforcement professional with over 28 years of experience serving Fresno.

Detective Cardinale educated over 50 medical students at the CHSU-COM campus on the dangers of fentanyl, his role investigating fentanyl overdoses in the Central Valley, and how CHSU students can combat the opioid crisis.

The presentation titled, “Killer High,” featured an in-depth discussion on fentanyl use and overdose statistics in the Fresno area.

Detective Cardinale supplemented the presentation by providing camera footage from local law enforcement, which brought to light the reality of the opioid overdose epidemic. He also discussed the role of law enforcement in investigating overdose-related deaths and their efforts to combat the opioid crisis in our local community.

Medical students were educated on how fentanyl is manufactured and formulated, sharing his experiences investigating the common sources and patterns surrounding increased opioid accessibility.

Detective Cardinale emphasized many folks are unaware they are ingesting fentanyl and fentanyl is being formulated as colorful tablets such as skittles and gummies to attract the attention of adolescents. He added drug dealers have streamlined the delivery of fentanyl to users via phone apps, home delivery, and alternative currency (i.e. Venmo, PayPal).

As future physicians, CHSU students had the opportunity to learn how they can combat the opioid epidemic through early recognition of opioid-related issues.

The event opened the floor for discussion, allowing students to pose questions to Detective Cardinale about opioid use and the evolving role of physicians in managing opioid overdoses.

As an expert in the field of fentanyl use and overdose, Detective Dean Cardinale provided valuable insight to CHSU’s medical students about the opioid crisis in hopes of bringing awareness and education to future healthcare leaders.