Governor Gavin Newsom today launched CA Bridge Connect, a free statewide call- and text-based service designed to offer immediate help and support to Californians seeking treatment for opioid use.
This confidential helpline is available to individuals seeking help, their families, caregivers, and clinicians, regardless of insurance coverage. Users can receive same-day referrals to Behavioral Health Navigators who assess needs, coordinate real-time referrals to various providers, and, when appropriate, prescribe Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT).
“CA Bridge Connect makes it easier for Californians to find the right help, at the right time, so more people can begin treatment and take their next step toward recovery,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Director Michelle Baass added, “We are building a system that prioritizes care, dignity, and recovery.”
This initiative is part of California’s “no wrong door” approach to care, building on the Public Health Institute’s CA Bridge program, the country's largest emergency department-based opioid addiction treatment model. The state's efforts also include offering CalRx-branded over-the-counter naloxone at a reduced price and providing free naloxone kits through the Naloxone Distribution Project, which has reversed over 460,000 overdoses.
California continues to combat the opioid and overdose epidemic through legislative actions, such as SB 184 and AB 2376, which expand access to MAT and increase hospital beds for substance use disorder treatment. The state is also taking aggressive action against fentanyl trafficking and disrupting the supply of illicit drugs. For help, call 1-800-944-1807 or text 1-833-308-0461, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM.