Published: 09/11/2026 | Author: Terri

Most conversations about opioid addiction start after something has already gone wrong. Residents in Southern California spent the end of August trying to start a conversation. And this time, some folks listened. 

On August 29, the city of Long Beach hosted a free resource fair at MacArthur Park called “Turning the Tide: Navigating Local Programs and Services.” It was timed to International Overdose Awareness Day. 

All programs were local to Long Beachers, noted Ismael Salamanca of the city Health Department’s Harm Reduction Program. The grassroots effort complemented local inpatient care and even community Narcotics Anonymous chapters.

Opioids in The Golden State

Nationally, nearly 48,000 people died in 2024 in overdoses involving synthetic opioids such as fentanyl.

Long Beach saw a sharp escalation in recent years, even as drug deaths in California have declined. Opioid fatalities in the city rose 326% from 23 in 2018 to 98 in 2022. Fentanyl cases hit 1,640% and were involved in 263 of the 332 opioid deaths in Long Beach.

More recent county data points the other way. Los Angeles County recorded 22% fewer drug overdose deaths in 2024 than the year before. 

Race matters. Black residents continue to die from overdoses at disproportionately higher rates than other ethnic groups. That’s why public health officials decide on targeted outreach to help those most at risk.

The World’s a Fair

Long Beach’s Homeless Services, PrEP and Harm Reduction programs joined 11 local and regional providers, with L.A. CADA as lead sponsor. Partners included treatment centers all across the SoCal region.

Attendees could get HIV and STI testing, enrollment help for CalFresh and Medi-Cal, and naloxone along with fentanyl and xylazine test strips. There were live demonstrations of naloxone administration and rescue breathing. Partners also offered mental health referrals, grief and support groups and medications for addiction treatment services.

Naloxone and Test Strips

Naloxone reverses an opioid overdose by displacing opioids from receptors in the brain and restoring breathing. It’s safe to give even if opioids turn out not to be involved, requires no medical training and can be bought without an Rx at many pharmacies.

Fentanyl test strips let a person check a substance before use. Xylazine test strips do the same for veterinary sedatives increasingly found in the illicit supply that doesn’t respond to naloxone. An overdose involving sedatives may still need CPR and emergency care after naloxone is given.

Neither strip makes drug use safe. Both give a person information they would not otherwise have.

Opioid Addiction Care Continues Year Round

For people who couldn’t attend, the services didn’t end with the fair.

L.A. CADA’s Long Beach Outpatient and Community Services Center has a low barrier to entry. Staff can provide screenings to connect someone with the care that fits. Services include outpatient treatment and medical care available in person or by telehealth. Enhanced Care Management is available to eligible Medi-Cal members. 

Bienestar Human Services is another partner that offers HIV and STI screening and harm reduction care. They operate a mobile site at MacArthur Park on Wednesdays.

Salamanca noted that community organizations change frequently and encouraged residents to call ahead to confirm hours, services, eligibility and any costs. Most programs are free or low cost, but some involve sliding-scale fees or insurance.

NA as a First and Lasting Step

There’s several ways to start.

Long Beach’s Harm Reduction Program can be reached through the Health Department front desk at 562-570-4000.

Our personal helpline at 800-934-1582(Sponsored) is free and confidential, answered around the clock. Chat with an expert today.

You can also browse our directory of Narcotics Anonymous meetings to supplement treatment. Many people use NA alongside medication rather than instead of it. Search by city and by meeting type, including virtual options.