Los Angeles County is taking action against the fentanyl crisis through a series of workshops at music and cultural festivals. Starting Thursday, Jan. 23, health officials and volunteers will share important information about the dangers of fentanyl while festival-goers wait to enter venues.
These workshops will offer people a chance to learn how to recognize the signs of an overdose and get trained in using naloxone, commonly known as Narcan. This medication can reverse an opioid overdose and save lives. The initiative is a partnership between the L.A. County Department of Public Health and an organization called End Overdose, which is dedicated to preventing drug overdoses.
Gary Tsai, director of the Substance Abuse Prevention and Control Bureau at DPH, stated that this partnership is crucial for spreading awareness and providing essential resources to the community. The goal is to empower locals with knowledge and tools to prevent overdoses and create a safer environment for everyone in Los Angeles County.
Tragically, nearly 2,000 residents died from accidental fentanyl overdoses or poisonings in 2023, which highlights the urgent need for education and intervention.
This initiative builds on the county’s Fentanyl Frontline campaign, launched in 2024, which promotes the use of naloxone. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, about 70% of street-bought pills contain dangerous amounts of fentanyl, making it nearly impossible to detect if a drug has been laced.
Theo Krzywicki, founder and CEO of End Overdose, emphasized that a collective and proactive approach is vital for tackling this public health crisis. Their partnership aims to ensure that no one in the county suffers the loss of a loved one due to a preventable overdose.
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