South OC Times

Orange County’s Homeless Death Review Committee issued its second report today, reviewing deaths of people experiencing homelessness in 2022. The Committee, led by the Coroner Division of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, was commissioned by Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes in January 2022 and includes representation from various technical experts.

According to the report, the number of deaths among people experiencing homelessness in Orange County increased from 395 in 2021 to 496 in 2022, marking a significant rise of 25.6 percent. The Committee found that accidental deaths surpassed natural deaths as the leading manner of death among this population, with 209 of the 324 accidental deaths attributed specifically to fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid. This represents a substantial increase from just 12 fentanyl-related deaths in 2018.

Sheriff-Coroner Don Barnes expressed concern over the surge in fentanyl-related deaths, stating, “The dramatic rise of fentanyl-related deaths among people experiencing homelessness continues to be a cause of concern.” Barnes outlined several initiatives aimed at addressing the fentanyl crisis, including enforcement actions against traffickers, educational programs in schools, and medication-assisted treatment programs for inmates in county jails. He also emphasized the importance of advocating for state and federal legislation to support local efforts in combating this issue.

In 2023, Sheriff Barnes sponsored AB 271, a bill that allows for data sharing among mortality review committees, which was signed into law and took effect in January 2024. This legislation will enable the Homeless Death Review Committee to share more data, facilitating a more detailed analysis in future reports.

Sheriff Barnes expressed gratitude for the Committee's work, stating, “I appreciate the Committee’s report and recommendations. I look forward to the comprehensive review we will be able to see next year and how it will help us identify, address and mitigate deaths of people experiencing homelessness.”