Long Beach Releases First-Ever Opioid Overdose Report Highlighting Five Years of Impact
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Long Beach, CA ~ Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) has released its first Opioid Overdose Report, providing a comprehensive analysis of opioid-related overdoses and deaths in the city from 2018 to 2022. This report sheds light on the critical role of synthetic opioids like fentanyl and highlights the city's ongoing efforts to combat this public health emergency through innovative and community-focused solutions.

According to the report, there has been a significant increase in opioid-related deaths among Long Beach residents over the past four years. In 2018, there were 23 opioid-related deaths, which rose to 98 in 2022, representing a staggering 326% increase. In total, there were 332 opioid-related deaths between 2018 and 2022. Of these deaths, 263 involved fentanyl, with a shocking increase of 1,640% during this period.

The crisis has also had a disproportionate impact on certain groups within the community. The report reveals that male residents, individuals aged 25-34, and those living in the zip codes 90813 and 90805 have been most affected by opioid-related deaths. This highlights the need for targeted harm reduction interventions in these areas.

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The COVID-19 pandemic has also played a significant role in exacerbating the opioid crisis. The report notes that social isolation and reduced access to treatment and mental health services may have influenced opioid misuse during this time. Additionally, the report includes data on opioid-related deaths that occurred in Long Beach but may not have involved residents of the city.

Mayor Rex Richardson emphasized the city's commitment to addressing this public health emergency through new and innovative approaches. "Long Beach is a leading city when it comes to public health," he stated. "We are treating the opioid epidemic with utmost care and attention."

To mitigate the effects of this crisis, the Health Department has implemented several harm reduction programs funded by the California Opioid Settlements Fund. These initiatives include a Harm Reduction Distribution Program, which provides free Narcan (naloxone), fentanyl and xylazine test strips, and other tools through online orders and direct outreach. The department also offers Naloxone Training to educate community partners and organizations on how to reverse opioid overdoses.

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Plans are also underway to install Harm Reduction Vending Machines throughout the city, making these resources more accessible to those in need. The Health Department is also collaborating with local organizations and healthcare providers to enhance care and provide resources and education to the community.

Dr. Anissa Davis, Long Beach Health Officer, stressed the importance of preventing opioid-related deaths. "Opioid-related deaths are preventable," she stated. "This report allows us to identify key areas of intervention and work collaboratively with our community partners to reduce harm and save lives."

In addition to these efforts, the City of Long Beach has recently launched a youth opioid awareness campaign. This campaign aims to engage young people through youth-led storytelling in multimedia workshops, raise awareness about the opioid epidemic, and increase access to educational materials about opioid overdose prevention techniques.

The City urges residents to learn about and access harm reduction resources by visiting longbeach.gov/harmreduction. Community organizations interested in partnering with the Health Department can reach out to harmreduction@longbeach.gov for more information.

As the city continues its fight against the opioid crisis, it remains committed to protecting its community's health and well-being through innovative solutions and collaborations with local organizations.

Filed Under: Government, City
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