At just 15 years old, DeAnna Duran fell victim to a hidden addiction she did not understand. The San Jose native initially believed the blue pills she took were Percocet, a prescription opioid, but they were actually counterfeits laced with fentanyl. This potent synthetic opioid has been linked to a staggering number of overdose deaths in the United States. DeAnna’s struggle with addiction persisted until she found help through a groundbreaking youth treatment program in Santa Clara County.
DeAnna, now 21, reflected on her experience in a recent interview, stating, “At first, I didn’t want to do it… but I started doing it more and more.” She tried to convince herself that she was not an addict, but the reality became undeniable as she struggled to manage her life. Her academic performance suffered, leading her to drop out of high school altogether.
Between January 1, 2018, and October 25, 2025, Santa Clara County recorded **807 fentanyl overdose deaths**, accounting for nearly **75% of all opioid-related fatalities** in that period. The average age of the deceased was **38**. “I didn’t know what fentanyl was,” DeAnna admitted, a revelation that came only after she researched the fake pills online.
After numerous unsuccessful attempts to break free from fentanyl’s grip, DeAnna’s mother, **Jennifer Duran**, introduced her to a video featuring Dr. **Lee Trope**, director of the youth inpatient opioid treatment program at **Santa Clara Valley Medical Center**. This program, launched in **2021**, is the first of its kind in the nation, specifically designed for individuals aged 21 and younger grappling with opioid addiction.
The program at Valley Med offers a supportive environment that allows young patients to receive medical assistance while detoxifying. Dr. Trope explained the program’s approach: “We want to have a menu of options that different people with different life situations could choose.” The facility has treated **80 patients** with **115 admissions** since its inception.
DeAnna enrolled in the program just days before her 21st birthday, the age limit imposed by hospital regulations. “I wanted a better life for myself,” she recalled, explaining her decision to seek help. Upon admission, she reported having last used drugs **10 or 11 hours** prior. Doctors administered **Suboxone**, a medication that helps mitigate withdrawal symptoms, after monitoring her condition.
Jennifer, who had been unaware of the extent of DeAnna’s addiction, took time off work to support her daughter during the detox process. She vividly remembers the fear she felt as she checked on DeAnna multiple times each night, worried that she might find her unconscious or worse. “I don’t want my daughter to die,” she said, expressing the deep emotional toll of her daughter’s addiction.
As DeAnna approaches her one-year sobriety mark, she has found stability through the program’s offerings, including monthly injections of **Sublocade**, which helps to reduce cravings. Dr. **Annie Chang**, a physician involved in the program, emphasized the importance of providing adolescents with the same access to treatment options available to adults. “When we see the trajectory of substance use… it gets more severe if that substance use disorder isn’t treated,” she explained.
Jennifer expressed pride in DeAnna’s accomplishments and the progress they have made as a family. “This drug took everything away from her,” she said, reflecting on the challenges they faced. “If it wasn’t for the support that this program gave her, I wouldn’t have my daughter.”
With nearly a year of sobriety behind her, DeAnna is focused on her recovery and future goals, including completing her General Educational Development (GED) certificate. “I think overall I’m just proud of myself from where I started to where I am now,” she noted, recognizing the significant change in her life since battling addiction.
For those under 21 seeking help, the Santa Clara County youth opioid inpatient program can be reached at **(408) 885-5255**. The program serves as a vital resource in the fight against opioid addiction, offering hope and support to young individuals like DeAnna Duran.
