The sound of applause filled Ventura County Museum, as Erik Nasarenko was publicly sworn into office as Ventura County District Attorney this week.
But from a moment of personal celebration, he told the audience that his own focus was on how to tackle the rise in opioid abuse in the county.
He told KCLU that he is "laser-focused" on tackling the problem.
"We need to attack the supply so that we don't over-saturate our street with cheap fentanyl, but we also need to attack the demand through telling people not to use it through public awareness and education," said Nasarenko.
Nasarenko – who is the son of Ukrainian immigrant parents – says it’s important not only to focus on what is being done to prosecute those who sell it, but to educate our children about the risks of fentanyl.
"We want to be part of medication prevention, public awareness and helping those who need recovery," said Nasarenko.
Ventura County is not alone in seeing a sharp rise in fentanyl – a powerful synthetic opioid estimated to be 50-100 times more potent than morphine. In three years, fentanyl-based case filings have risen 3,428 percent.
"One pill will kill," warned Nasarenko. "This is a lethal, deadly, use once and die drug."
He said that the battle against fentanyl nationally starts in the local community.
"Everything starts local. I'm a big believer in do what you can where you are," but he stressed that he would use the resources of the FBI and the DEA.
"This drug kills people in middle school and high school," he said.
He warned that more often recreational drugs sold as one thing will contain fentanyl, which will prove deadly.
Nasarenko is the 24th District Attorney in the county’s history, and will serve a six-year term.
