City To Offer Free Community Workshops on Opioid Awareness and Overdose Prevention

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PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) is launching free educational workshops as part of a community training initiative that supports opioid awareness and public safety. These workshops, which focus on raising awareness of the opioid crisis, educating on harm reduction principles and provide hands-on training for Narcan, are part of the City's broader efforts to educate the community and prevent opioid-related harm.

The Health Department's Harm Reduction Program will offer these free workshops from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Main Health Facility (2525 Grand Ave.) on Saturdays, Aug. 16, Sept. 13 and Oct. 11.

Each workshop will feature the same information and resources, ensuring that all attendees receive a consistent overview of the opioid crisis in Long Beach, an introduction to harm reduction principles, education on Narcan (naloxone) administration and the use of fentanyl test strips, as well as access to free Narcan, fentanyl test strips and educational material. Workshop attendees will also have the opportunity to connect with Health Department staff to access additional resources. Residents are encouraged to register online, though registration is not required to attend.

The workshop series builds on harm reduction principles, an approach that prioritizes reducing negative consequences associated with drug use and is grounded in human rights and justice. This approach also addresses the risks tied to drug use through education, resources and practical tools.

The workshops and harm reduction materials are supported by the California Opioid Settlements fund, which provides funding to cities and counties to address the opioid crisis. Additional information on the California Opioid Settlements is available at oag.ca.gov/opioids.

Earlier this year, the City launched its first-ever opioid overdose report, a comprehensive analysis of the opioid crisis in Long Beach, as well as a Youth Opioid Awareness Campaign to provide young people an opportunity to develop skills through youth-led storytelling in multimedia workshops. For more information about the Health Department's Harm Reduction Program and to stay updated, visit longbeach.gov/harmreduction.

Media inquiries may be directed to the Health Department's Public Affairs Office at [email protected].

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