SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – The county’s Department of Behavioral Health is continuing its fight against opioid overdoses by distributing additional Narcan kits at this year’s Deltopia Festival.
Narcan is a life-saving drug that restores normal breathing patterns to reverse opioid overdoses that are causing an epidemic in some parts of the country.
This year’s Deltopia Street Festival in Isla Vista will see even greater demand for kits after a tragic death during last year’s event caused great concern.
“During Deltopia last year, a promising student tragically died from fentanyl. One death is one too many, and I will do everything I can to keep our young people and our community safe. ,” said District 2 Superintendent Laura Capps. She added: “We encourage the public to come and volunteer on April 2nd.”n.d. Help us distribute this potentially life-saving resource. ”
The County Board of Supervisors and the Department of Behavioral Health partnered to provide 900 Narcan kits to festival attendees and their families at this year’s event to prevent other overdoses.
“Opioid overdoses represent a significant public health concern in our community,” said Melissa Wilkins, Alcohol and Drug Program Director for the Behavioral Health Branch. “We believe that by equipping community members with Narcan, they will be able to intervene quickly in overdose situations, providing critical support until emergency medical services arrive.”
Volunteers are encouraged to sign up to help with the April 2nd kit distribution at this link. For more information about the county’s Department of Behavioral Health, visit its website.
