Alcohol & Substance Abuse

If you or someone you know is in need of treatment or recovery support services, please visit Marin County's Behavioral Health and Recovery Services. If you're not sure if you meet the criteria for services, contact the access team directly via phone or complete this form to request a callback.

For people 25 years old and younger needing access to behavioral health care, try the Novato Teen Clinic. Call or text 415-985-5012 to schedule an appointment or learn more. Check out their Instagram here!

Download Let's Talk, Novato Teen Clinic's helpful guides available in English and Spanish.

Interested in support groups or sober curious? Check out the local Narcotics Anonymous meeting schedule. 

Fentanyl and Xylazine Test Strips

The Spahr Center distributes fentanyl and xylazine test strips, as well as safer-use equipment. The Spahr Center also provides information on other local social and medical services, detox and treatment programs, and support groups.

Weekly Schedule: 

Monday

Wednesday

  • 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
    Spahr travels between Camp Compassion at the Novato Library parking lot, Binford Rd, and Hamilton Field. Text Chris Brown at 415-573-5407 for exact timing and locations.

  • 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
    Fairfax Library side parking lot, 2097 Sir Francis Drake, Fairfax

Thursday

Friday

Once a Month

  • Spahr travels to Point Reyes and Bolinas below as part of a collaborative. Please contact Spahr at 415-573-5407 or check their social media accounts to find upcoming dates and times.

Ever in San Francisco?

  • Everyone can get up to 10 free fentanyl test strips at:
    CBHS Pharmacy
    1380 Howard Street (at 10th Street)
    San Francisco, CA 94103
    Monday – Friday: 9:00 am - 6:30 pm
    Saturday – Sunday: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm 

Contact Chris Brown (he/him), Harm Reduction Programs Manager, or stop by Spahr's mobile pop-ups. Email Chris at cbrown@thespahrcenter.org

What is NARCAN®?

Naloxone (brand name NARCAN®) is a life-saving, over-the-counter, FDA-approved medication that is used to reverse the effects of overdoses from opioids such as heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, and morphine. Naloxone can be administered by bystanders in two ways: through injections (like a shot) or via nasal spray. NARCAN® is the spray version, which comes two per kit.

View the "quick start" guide to NARCAN®

NARCAN® Training

The Spahr Center offers FREE training on how to use NARCAN®. Contact Chris Brown (he/him), Harm Reduction Programs Manager, for more information on this invaluable resource. 

Where to get NARCAN®?

The Spahr Center provides Narcan® at their office (150 Nellen Ave #100, Corte Madera CA) and via mobile outreach. Go to their website to find mobile distribution locations or call 415-573-5407to make an appointment to pick up free NARCAN®.

ALL Marin County Schools (TK-12) have been allocated (or have available for pick up) NARCAN® for on-campus use. For more information on training in schools, please contact mboyd@marinschools.org.

OD Free Marin distributes NARCAN® at their office (20 North San Pedro Rd, San Rafael CA 94903). Email info@odfreemarin.org to make an appointment to pick up for free.

Free NARCAN® Vending Machines: 

  • Marin HHS Social Services Courtyard
    120 North Redwood, San Rafael
    24 / 7 outdoor access 

  • Marin County Jail Lobby
    13 Peter Behr Drive, San Rafael
    8:00 am – 11:00 pm 

  • Ritter Center
    16 Ritter Street, San Rafael
    8:30 am – 4:30 pm 

  • Marin Health and Wellness Campus
    3240 Kerner Blvd, San Rafael
    8:30 am – 5:00 pm 

  • West Marin Health and Human Services Multi-Service Center
    1 Sixth Street, Point Reyes Station
    Monday – Friday / 9:00 am – 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm

ALCOHOL JUSTICE
Alcohol Justice, the industry watchdog, promotes evidence-based public health policies and organizes campaigns against the alcohol industry’s harmful practices with diverse communities and youth.

BE THE INFLUENCE
Be the Influence (BTI) is a parent support program with a network of parents dedicated to keeping teens safe and away from drugs for as long as possible. BTI provides access to a secure database of like-minded parents who pledge not to host teen parties with alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs. BTI also provides bi-monthly newsletters with parenting tips and facts about different drugs. betheinfluence.us

LET’S TALK MARIN
According to the data, teens in our community have easy access to and the opportunity to use drugs and alcohol. This is a reality. But as parents and caregivers, we can help them navigate these tough decisions. Where can we start? Know the facts, communicate openly, and listen to our youth. To learn more, check out one of our community discussions and download a Let’s Talk booklet for middle and high school.

MARIN AL-ANON AND AL-ATEEN
Al-Anon’s primary purpose is to help families and friends of alcoholics. Marin County Chapter website includes purpose, resources, meetings, and more. Mental illness through advocacy, education, and support.

MARIN COUNTY FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE
The Friday Night Live Partnership is a statewide youth development group network that engages young people to prevent underage drinking. The Youth Leadership Institute Marin acts as the leader of the Marin County Friday Night Live chapter.

OVERDOSE FREE MARIN
RxSafe Marin is a coalition of community members & experts collaborating to tackle the local prescription drug misuse and abuse epidemic. As the nature of the epidemic shifts from past trends of heroin and prescription pills toward the challenging realities of fentanyl, Marin County health officials continue to work with community partners to find innovative solutions and raise awareness to combat this issue.

SAN FRANCISCO AND MARIN AA
The Alcoholics Anonymous website offers information and meetings for individuals who want to stop drinking. 

WELLNESS: MARIN SCHOOLS – SUBSTANCE ABUSE & FENTANYL AWARENESS

VAPING - EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

YOUTH CANNABIS PREVENTION INITIATIVE
The Youth Cannabis Prevention Initiative includes the California Cannabis Surveillance System (CCSS) and the Cannabis Education and Youth Prevention Program (CEYPP). The CCSS is a public health data collection and analysis system for youth and adult cannabis use, legal, social, environmental impacts, and health outcomes. The CEYPP provides health education and prevention to reduce the negative impacts and consequences of cannabis use through state and local partnerships and public awareness campaigns.

Parent/Guardian Websites:

Lets Talk Cannabis (English)

Marihuana (ca.gov) (Spanish)

YOUTH TRANSFORMING JUSTICE
Youth Transforming Justice (YTJ) provides alternatives to the traditional school disciple and juvenile justice systems. YTJ’s practices are based on the principles of youth-driven restorative trauma-informed justice. YTJ Peer Solutions empowers teens to take an active role in addressing and supporting their peers. 

OTHER RESOURCES:

What is Naloxone?

  • Naloxone (brand name Narcan) is a life-saving, FDA-approved medication used to reverse the effects of overdoses from opioids such as heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, and morphine.

  • Naloxone can be administered in two ways: through injections (like a shot) or via nasal spray.

  • To learn more about how naloxone saves lives, visit the CDC’s naloxone page or read the National Harm Reduction Coalition’s opioid overdose guide.

Source: RxMarin

Where Can You Get Naloxone?

Pharmacies:  Naloxone should be available without a prescription at any pharmacy in California. Please call them first since about half of the Marin pharmacies require a prescription anyway.  Most health insurance programs cover naloxone. 

Free naloxone is available in the following locations:

  • Narcan Vending Machines:

    • Marin County Jail Lobby- 13 Peter Behr Drive, San Rafael

    • Marin HHS Social Services Courtyard- 120 North Redwood, San Rafael

  • Direct Distribution:

    • The Spahr Center provides Narcan at their office (150 Nellen Ave #100, Corte Madera, CA) and via mobile outreach. Go to their website to find mobile distribution locations or call 415-573-5407 to make an appointment to pick up free Narcan.

    • If you are a pharmacist or provider looking for more information about Narcan, please visit the Narcan website at: https://www.narcan.com/

    View the bilingual (English and Spanish) pocket card with information on how to access and use Narcan here.

SOCIAL HOST ORDINANCE

All cities in Marin, as well as Marin County itself, have adopted some form of “Social Host” Ordinance. Social Host Ordinances generally provide for a violation when “two or more minors are at a place, residence or other private property” and “alcoholic beverages, marijuana or other controlled substances are possessed or consumed by one or more of the minors.”

The ordinance was first enacted in November 2006 to deter underage drinking; recently, it has expanded to include cannabis and other controlled substances.

CRIMINAL VS CIVIL
A violation of the Social Host Ordinance, depending on what jurisdiction it occurs in, could be cited as either a “Criminal” violation or a “Civil” violation. The nature of a criminal vs. civil infraction depends on the punishment imposed. If the Social Host Ordinance violation is cited criminally, it is usually a misdemeanor offense that may appear on a criminal record. However, if cited as a civil violation, it is considered an “administrative matter” (an ordinance violation) and is punishable by a fine only and will not go on a criminal record. Central Marin and Fairfax’s fines range from $750 to $1000. In Marin County, penalties range from $750-$2500. Recently the option of restorative justice has been included.

If officers at the scene observed a criminal violation, a criminal citation could be issued in addition to an SHO citation (i.e., Contributing to the delinquency of a minor).

WHAT TO DO?

  • Never provide alcohol to minors or allow minors to drink on your property.

  • Actively supervise all gatherings of youth. Be present and aware.

  • Check-in with other parents when your child plans to go to a friend’s house for the evening.

  • Let your neighbors know if you will be out of town or away for the night so they can alert you or law enforcement if a party is held.

  • Call your local police department if you know a party that might happen or is happening. You could save a life, and you can call in a report without giving your name.

  • Always call 911 in the case of an emergency – even if your actions contributed to underage drinking. Police will consider your efforts to address the crisis when issuing a penalty.

  • Sign up for Be The Influence to connect with other parents in your community that agree to make their best effort to host only supervised, substance-free parties for adolescents.

Q & A

Q: Isn’t it safer to allow my child and their friends to drink at our home so I can keep an eye on them?
A: “Supervised” drinking ignores other serious problems associated with these kinds of teen parties – alcohol poisoning, sexual assault, other physical violence, and addiction. 
Remember that if you allow minors to drink under your supervision without informing every parent, you decide for someone else’s child that their parents/guardians may not condone. Not every person responds to alcohol equally.

Q: Why should parents be held accountable for their child’s actions if they are out of town and told not to throw a party?
A: Parents are responsible for their children’s actions until they turn 18, and they should not assume they are not responsible for their children when they leave town and the child (or children) are at home.

Q: Why should my community tell parents what to do with their children?
A: social host ordinance does not address familial gatherings like family dinners. The law addresses and deters underage drinking parties that threaten public health and safety. A social host ordinance reinforces a parent’s reasonable expectation that their child will be safe when they go to another adult’s home. 

Q: Aren’t there already laws against underage drinking? Why is a Social Host Ordinance necessary?
A: The Social Host Ordinance empowers parents, neighbors, and other concerned citizens to seek help from law enforcement when youth are suspected of underage drinking, unruly or loud parties, or different potentially dangerous or illegal situations involving minors. It also can recoup some of the expense of providing police and other public services in response to these gatherings.

Source: Marin Healthy Youth Partnerships