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Together we defeat overdose

Too many lives have been lost to fentanyl-laced drugs. Fentanyl Frontline – an effort by the Department of Public Health Substance Abuse Prevention and Control Bureau – is on a mission to reduce overdose and increase awareness around fentanyl. With the right information, real facts, and achievable steps to take, we can shift the tides of overdose in Los Angeles County.

Person applying naloxone.

Why you need naloxone

Two people hugging.

Why overdose is a real risk

EMT standing in front of an ambulance.

Why you need a backup plan

A crying teenager.

Why you need to talk to teens

Overdose happens fast

Know what to do

Call 911
ASAP

California has a Good Samaritan Law in place that helps to protect people from liability or arrest when they act in good faith and with reasonable care to seek medical help or administer naloxone.

Give them
naloxone

Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose and help restore their breathing. In some instances, MULTIPLE doses may be necessary.

Start rescue
breaths

If they are unresponsive, first tilt their head and support their neck. Then, gently blow into their mouth. Repeat two rescue breaths for every 30 chest compressions.

Stay with
them

Even after naloxone, keep checking their breathing. Continue to monitor them until medical help arrives or for at least four hours until their breathing returns to normal.

Talk to teens
about fentanyl

Make sure they know the risks of laced drugs and how to use naloxone.

Learn What to Say

Toolkits

Parent Toolkit

Student toolkit

Educator Toolkit

Articles

Fentanyl in LA County County of Los Angeles Public Health Substance Abuse Prevention and Control-SAPC
History of the drug warDrug Policy Alliance
Understanding the opioid overdose epidemic Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Harm reductionSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Principles of harm reductionNational Harm Reduction Coalition
Naloxone resource guideCounty of Los Angeles Public Health SAPC
Talking to parents and youth
County of Los Angeles Public Health SAPC
Get informed, stay safeCounty of Los Angeles Public Health SAPC
Fentanyl awareness and LA County Sheriff's DepartmentLos Angeles County Sheriff's Department

Sources

  1. California Department of Public Health. (n.d.). Fentanyl testing to prevent overdose: Information for people who use drugs and healthcare providers.
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Preventing opioid overdose.
  3. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2022). Naloxone DrugFacts.
  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Naloxone: Family and caregivers, what you need to know about naloxone.
  5. County of Los Angeles Public Health. (n.d.). Los Angeles County substance use treatment services.
  6. County of Los Angeles Public Health. (n.d.). Fentanyl.
  7. County of Los Angeles Public Health. (2023). Data report: Fentanyl overdoses in Los Angeles County.
  8. County of Los Angeles Public Health. (n.d.). Fentanyl and overdoses in Los Angeles County: A resource toolkit for parents.
  9. County of Los Angeles Public Health. (n.d.). Fentanyl in Los Angeles County. Recover LA.
  10. County of Los Angeles Public Health. (n.d.). Substance Abuse Prevention and Control: Harm reduction.
  11. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. (2022). What every parent and caregiver needs to know about fake pills.
  12. DOPE Project. (2020). Fentanyl use and overdose prevention tips. National Harm Reduction Coalition.
  13. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2023). Opioid overdose.
  14. Stanford University. (n.d.). Talking to your college student about alcohol: A parent/guardian guide.
  15. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2020). FDA recommends health care professionals discuss naloxone with all patients when prescribing opioid pain relievers or medicines to treat opioid use disorder.
  16. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. (2024). Year in review: DEA innovates to fight fentanyl.