Above: The City's Health Department will now include a mail-based delivery option for Long Beach residents seeking harm reduction supplies like fentanyl test kits, naloxone and educational materials.

Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) has expanded its Harm Reduction Program to include a mail-based delivery option for Long Beach residents seeking harm reduction supplies like fentanyl test kits, naloxone and educational materials at no cost.

"Overdose prevention is about protecting lives and meeting people where they are," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "Long Beach remains committed to making public health programs accessible, equitable and responsive to the needs of our community, especially those most impacted by the opioid crisis."

The Health Department's Harm Reduction Program provides resources and education focused on substance use dependency, particularly opioid use, which is linked to misuse and accidental overdose. The expanded program allows residents with a Long Beach mailing address to request a free Harm Reduction Response Kit online and have it delivered discreetly to their home. Each mail order kit includes:

• Fentanyl and xylazine test strips
• Instructional and educational materials
• Two doses of naloxone, the nasal spray medication used to reverse opioid overdoses

Fentanyl detection kits are single-use tools that enable people to identify the presence of fentanyl in medications or substances before use, helping reduce the risk of accidental opioid overdose.

Residents interested in requesting a kit may visit longbeach.gov/harmreduction to complete an online request form. Orders are typically processed within 48 hours, with discreet shipping that generally arrives within three business days. The Health Department also offers no-cost community workshops and provider training on opioid overdose prevention and naloxone administration. Information on requesting training and viewing the workshop calendar is available online.

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The program expansion is in direct response to City Council recommendations to develop a pilot program for the distribution of all-in-one fentanyl detection devices at no cost to residents and that addresses concerns related to equitable access to life-saving tools for residents most impacted by opioid-related overdoses and deaths. The item was brought forward in November 2024 by Second District Councilwoman Cindy Allen and co-sponsored by Third District Councilwoman Kristina Duggan and Sixth District Councilwoman Dr. Suely Saro.

"This program reflects our commitment to addressing the opioid crisis by ensuring our residents have equitable access to these life-saving tools," said Second District Councilwoman Cindy Allen. "By protecting our residents who are most impacted by opioid-related overdoses, we are taking meaningful action to protect our entire community and are committed to further solutions."

According to preliminary data from the Health Department's Vital Records Office, approximately 224 fentanyl-involved overdose deaths occurred among Long Beach residents from 2022 through 2024. Nearly half (49.5%) of these deaths occurred in residential settings, and most involved men ages 25 to 34. The impact was concentrated in several areas of the city, with zip codes 90813, 90802, 90805 and 90806 accounting for approximately 47% of the fentanyl-related overdoses during that period.

According to the CDC, cities nationwide are beginning to see declines in opioid-related overdose deaths, and Long Beach is among those experiencing improvement. Comparing preliminary data from 2023 and 2024, Vital Records shows a 39% decrease in fentanyl-related overdose deaths. This decline is attributed, in part, to expanded prevention efforts, increased awareness, access to no-cost fentanyl test kits and broader availability of naloxone.

"Expanding test kit access is a practical, evidence-based prevention strategy," said Health Department Director Alison King. "Our goal is to ensure that every Long Beach resident has access to the tools, information and services needed to stay safe, healthy and supported."

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In 2023, the Health Department was awarded funds from 2022 opioid settlements to create and develop activities that aim to reduce the effects of the opioid epidemic in Long Beach. These funds have supported several programs across the city, including the installation of sharps kiosks, training, workshops for residents, a youth-focused awareness campaign and more. The Health Department continues to coordinate a collaborative response to reduce negative outcomes from substance misuse by providing education, implementing harm reduction techniques, expanding treatment access and addressing health inequities.

These services, along with outreach, community engagement, and partnerships with local treatment and support providers, are client-centered and grounded in a harm reduction approach. People seeking support or treatment for opioid use disorder may contact the Harm Reduction Program or visit the City's Community and Providers Resources Page to find local support services.

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, the award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. More information about the Long Beach Health Department is available at longbeach.gov/health and on Instagram, Facebook and X.

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