Safer WeHo Coalition distributed free naloxone, fentanyl test strips and roofie tests strips at three different locations in West Hollywood’s LGBT Rainbow District this past Saturday, March 18, 2023. Resources tables were set up on Robertson Boulevard in West Hollywood Park and on the corners of Santa Monica Boulevard and Hilldale Avenue, and on Santa Monica Boulevard and Hancock Avenue.
“We’re handing out fentanyl test strips, we have Narcan, and we also have roofie test kits and they test for ketamine and GHB specifically,” said Darwin Rodriguez of West Hollywood Project Institute for Public Strategies. “These can also be found inside the bars and they are distributed by WeHo Life Coalition. We’re handing out information, resources, and education.”
Safe WeHo Community Coalition “Make Your Own Luck” – WEHO TIMES“The common misconception is that fentanyl overdoses only impact people who are using drugs addictively,” said drag queen Pickle. “But this is affecting people who use recreationally or don’t use drugs very often. These test strips may not be used by everyone, but even if they save one life, it’s worth having them available. I think having them around increases the likelihood that someone will use them and it also increases the likelihood that people will be thinking about it. They may consider using them before high-risk behavior. Also, if they have a test strip in their pocket, they may be less prone to do drugs in the first place. I think there is value in having these around.”
Safe WeHo Community Coalition “Make Your Own Luck” – WEHO TIMES
The event was billed as “Make Your Own Luck”. The goal was to ensure that individuals have access to life-saving resources during a time of celebration and increased risk. The event is encouraging community members to make their own luck during a weekend following St. Patrick’s Day this past Friday.
For National Meth Awareness Day, on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, The Institute for Public Strategies’ West Hollywood Project joined activists and members of health organizations to distribute overdose prevention information and resources along with life-saving Fentanyl Test Strips and Naloxone nasal sprays. The group gathered for an evening of engaging with the public to discuss the dangers of drug use on at West Hollywood Park next to The Abbey Food & Bar.
The Health organizations who participated this past weekend include:
- AIDS Healthcare Foundation
- Friends Community Center
- Los Angeles Centers for Alcohol and Drug Abuse
- Being Alive LA
- Men’s Health Foundation
- Los Angeles LGBT Center – WeHo Life
- Tarzana Treatment Centers
- Out Here Sexual Health
- The Wall – Las Memorias Project
- Los Angeles Drag Queen Story Hour
- City of West Hollywood
- West Hollywood Project
The West Hollywood Project is an ongoing, centralized effort to help promote Alcohol and Drug (AOD) Free events, activities and civic opportunities in the West Hollywood area. They promote specific events such as #SIZZLE! at LA Pride and #BOOM!, the annual New Year’s Eve event in West Hollywood. The West Hollywood Project is a Project of the Institute for Public Strategies and funded by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Substance Abuse Prevention and Control.
