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By: Mario Vargas, Reporter.
In a devastating reminder of the opioid crisis gripping communities across the nation, 29-year-old Benito Manuel Alvarado, affectionately known as “Benny Boy,” succumbed to a fentanyl overdose. Born just a day after his mother Griselda Lopez Martinez celebrated her 15th birthday, Benny earned the endearing nickname “Quinceañera baby.” He was cherished not only for his humor and compassion but also for his unwavering willingness to help others, even at the expense of his well-being.
“Benny had a remarkable sense of humor and a compassionate nature,” recalled Martinez. “He was always ready to lend a helping hand, even if it meant giving away his belongings.”
However, beneath this vibrant exterior lay a battle with drug addiction that began during his high school years. Initially experimenting with marijuana, Benny’s substance use escalated following the tragic loss of his five-year-old son. “That loss took a tremendous toll on him, leading him deeper into the clutches of drugs,” Martinez reflected, highlighting how grief can become a catalyst for addiction.
As Benny grappled with his pain, he fell into the wrong crowd, succumbing to the allure of drugs and a reckless lifestyle. Martinez, deeply concerned, sensed the negative influence of one particular friend who frequented their home. “I warned him to stay away from my son, fully aware of the danger he posed,” she said, illustrating the helplessness many parents feel when trying to shield their children from harmful influences.
Benny’s struggles led to frequent run-ins with the law, resulting in multiple incarcerations. “I must admit, I felt a strange sense of relief when he was incarcerated because I knew he was off drugs,” Martinez shared. Yet, upon his release, Benny’s struggles persisted. He found himself homeless, wandering from place to place, unable to escape the grip of addiction.
The moment Martinez received a letter from the public administrator’s office requesting a family member to identify Benny’s body marked the culmination of her despair. “I discovered my son’s passing when I received that letter,” she recounted. “He had spent 13 agonizing days in the hospital following a fentanyl overdose.”
Martinez chose to bury her son alongside his child, uniting them in eternal rest. “They can be together at last, both in heaven,” she expressed, her grief palpable.
In the wake of her loss, Martinez has resolved to transform her anguish into action. Determined to prevent other families from experiencing similar heartbreak, she is committed to raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl within her community. With plans to speak to youth groups and local organizations, she hopes to share Benny’s story as a cautionary tale of the perils of addiction.
Benny’s tragic fate is emblematic of a wider epidemic that has claimed countless lives across the nation. The Imperial County District Attorney’s Office has made combating fentanyl a top priority, vowing to prosecute those involved in its distribution to the fullest extent of the law. “We are committed to taking an uncompromising stance against fentanyl traffickers,” asserted George Marquez, the Imperial County District Attorney.
The office has also established a Victim-Witness Program designed to provide support and guidance to families affected by the ongoing crisis. “We recognize that forging strong partnerships with law enforcement agencies is crucial in tackling this problem collectively,” Marquez added, emphasizing the importance of community involvement.
Assistant District Attorney Jefferey Brooker highlighted the need for public education about fentanyl, particularly among young people. “One of the most alarming aspects of fentanyl is its potency. Just two grams are enough to induce a high, while any amount beyond that can be fatal,” he warned, underscoring the critical need for awareness in preventing further tragedies.
As one of the most vulnerable border communities in the United States, Imperial County, California faces a grave challenge in the form of the opioid epidemic, particularly the rise of fentanyl. L
The opioid crisis, which has evolved into a major public health emergency, shows no signs of abating. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 69,000 people in the United States died from opioid-related overdoses in 2020, with a staggering 82% of those deaths linked to synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl. This alarming trend has been mirrored in Imperial County, where local data reveals a troubling escalation in overdose incidents.
In 2020, the cities of Brawley, Calipatria, Westmorland, and Niland reported the highest rates of psychostimulant-stimulant overdose deaths, while El Centro, Holtville, Calexico, and Imperial were noted for amphetamine-related emergency department visits. However, it is the opioid-related overdoses that have particularly devastated communities, with Westmorland, Heber, and Brawley among the hardest hit.
Imperial County has become a critical focal point in the national fight against fentanyl trafficking. Of the 328 United States ports of entry, law enforcement agencies in San Diego and Imperial County have made the largest fentanyl seizures, marking the region as a hotbed for drug smuggling operations. Between 2019 and 2022, fentanyl seizures in Imperial County surged by a staggering 272%, reflecting a disturbing shift in trafficking practices.
“Initially, drug trafficking organizations smuggled relatively small loads of fentanyl co-mingled with larger loads of other narcotics,” said Imperial County Under Sheriff Robert Benavides. “We have seen a shift to significantly larger loads of fentanyl pills, known as ‘M-30’s,’ and fentanyl powder.” These developments pose a serious threat to public safety, as more potent forms of the drug circulate within communities.
The data from the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office Coroner’s Division paints a grim picture: 2020 marked one of the highest overdose death rates in the area, with 86 total overdose deaths, 33 of which were linked to fentanyl—accounting for 38% of all drug-related fatalities that year. Though there was a slight decrease in fentanyl-related deaths in subsequent years, with 17 in 2021 and 13 in 2022, the threat remains ever-present.
In response to the escalating crisis, the Imperial County Behavioral Health Services, in conjunction with the Sheriff’s Office and various local agencies, has implemented outreach and education programs aimed at increasing awareness about substance use while combating the stigma associated with addiction. These initiatives strive to ensure that residents have access to essential resources and a comprehensive service delivery system.
The Sheriff’s Office has taken proactive measures to protect both employees and the community. Fentanyl processing kits have been distributed for safe handling of seized fentanyl, and all deputies are equipped with Naloxone, a life-saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses. This dual approach not only assists in emergencies but also emphasizes the importance of community preparedness.
In July 2018, the Imperial County Health Department became a Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System, which expanded Medicaid-covered services for substance use disorder treatment. This shift represents a crucial step in addressing the underlying issues contributing to addiction and overdose in the region.
In a decisive move to combat the escalating fentanyl crisis, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the California National Guard’s Counterdrug Task Force has seized nearly 4,638 pounds of fentanyl powder and over 8.8 million fentanyl pills since January 2024, with an estimated street value of nearly $40 million.
The task force collaborates with local and federal agencies to eliminate dangerous fentanyl from the streets, focusing on key ports of entry along the southern border. “California’s work to address illicit fentanyl entering our state continues to produce strong results,” Newsom stated. “We’ll continue to tackle the opioid epidemic by all means necessary—getting fentanyl off our streets and ensuring communities have access to the treatment and life-saving medications they need.”
The task force employs a strategic approach to narcotics interdiction, utilizing both air and ground resources to conduct criminal investigations and support personnel at border entry points. This initiative comes on the heels of Newsom’s recent decision to nearly double the number of CalGuard service members involved in drug interdiction efforts, boosting their presence from 155 to nearly 400.
Last year alone, CalGuard operations led to a record seizure of 62,224 pounds of fentanyl, reflecting a staggering 1,066% increase since 2021. Funded in part by California’s $30 million investment aimed at thwarting drug trafficking by transnational criminal organizations, these efforts are critical as fentanyl is primarily smuggled into the U.S. by citizens at border crossings. This initiative complements the Governor’s broader strategy to tackle fentanyl distribution across California, including targeted efforts in cities like San Francisco.
In a community where the threat of fentanyl looms large, the message of support and recovery must resonate. With resources available and a growing network of assistance, Imperial County stands at a crossroads—facing an unprecedented challenge, yet equipped with the tools and determination to overcome it. The future depends on a united front against the opioid epidemic, ensuring that help is always within reach for those in need.
