Health & Human services

The Harm Reduction Program provides essential resources and services to reduce the harms associated with substance use in Long Beach. Our Distribution Program distributes life-saving tools like Naloxone to prevent opioid overdoses, offers free fentanyl and xylazine test strips to help individuals stay safe. Additionally, we provide educational materials to raise awareness about substance use and overdose prevention. Our goal is to create a safer, more informed community where individuals are equipped with the tools they need to protect themselves and others.

To order harm reduction supplies, including xylazine test strips and Narcan, please fill out our request form.

*Please note: Fentanyl test strips are currently unavailable due to limited supply.

Note: We are unable to provide Narcan/Naloxone to Community Based Organizations. If you are a Community Based Organization and are interested in obtaining Narcan, please apply through the Naloxone Distribution Project via DCHS.

Harm Reduction Supplies Request Form

Opioid Reversal Tracker Form

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are fentanyl and xylazine test strips?

  Fentanyl test strips (FTS) are a form of inexpensive drug testing technology that can help detect the presence of fentanyl and other fentanyl-analogs in a drug sample prior to use. FTS do not show the amount, purity, or potency of fentanyl in the sample.  

  Xylazine test strips work similarly to Fentanyl test strips: detecting the presence of Xylazine in a substance, but not the amount, purity, or potency of the xylazine in the sample.  
  

  Xylazine test strips can be accessed via the Department of Health and Human Services free of charge to individuals of the Long Beach Community and Community Based Organizations. To place an order, please fill out our request form.
  
  *Please note: Fentanyl test strips are currently unavailable due to limited supply.
  
  Fentanyl test strips can also be picked up in person at the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, located at 2525 Grand Ave, Long Beach, CA 90815, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• What is Narcan/Naloxone?

  Naloxone/Narcan is an FDA approved medication that reverses an opioid overdose. It acts by binding to opioid receptors and blocks the effects of opioids. Naloxone can quickly restore breathing to an individual who has stopped breathing due to opioids. 

  Naloxone can be obtained from your medical provider, pharmacies, and community-based organizations. Narcan can also be purchased over the counter from local pharmacies including CVS, Rite-Aid, Walgreens, etc. Additionally, home delivery is available through NEXT Distro. 

  Naloxone is available through the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services for free for individuals of the Long Beach Community. To order Narcan/Naloxone, fill out the request form.

  Note: We are unable to provide Narcan/Naloxone to Community Based Organizations. If you are a Community Based Organization and are interested in obtaining Narcan, please apply through the Naloxone Distribution Project via DCHS. 

  Additional Resources

  How and when do you use Narcan?   
  English | Spanish | Khmer | Tagalog 
  English Spanish  Khmer  Tagalog 
  
  Below are videos that will go over how to use Naloxone and how to spot an overdose: 
  Administering Naloxone - California Department of Public Health 
  OD Prevention Videos - Overdose Education + Naloxene Distribution 
  

• What is the Opioid Reversal Tracker?

  The Opioid Reversal Tracker helps us collect important data on the Narcan/Naloxone distributed within the Long Beach community. This information is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of our efforts to combat the opioid crisis. While completing the form is not required to receive Narcan, we encourage you to fill it out to assist in tracking the impact of the distribution program. Your participation helps guide our ongoing work to address the opioid epidemic.

• Where can I get harm reduction supplies in Long Beach, outside of the Health Department?

  If you are unable to visit the Health Department for harm reduction materials, the following locations also provide these supplies: 

  Organization:	Location:	Available Harm Reduction Supplies:
  	Access to Prevention Advocacy Intervention and Treatment (APAIT) 12832 Garden Grove Blvd, Ste E, Garden Grove, CA 92843 (714)-636-1349	Test Strips
  	AADAP, Inc 1733 E Anaheim Street, Long Beach, CA, 90813	Test Strips Narcan Syringe Exchange
  	Bienestar 2690 Pacific Avenue, Rm #300, Long Beach, CA 90806 (866)-590-6411	Test Strips Narcan Syringe Exchange
  	The Crest Bar 5935 Cherry Ave, Long Beach, CA 90805	Test Strips
  	Urban Social Services and Advocacy 3605 Long Beach Blvd, Rm #325, Long Beach, CA 90807 Call or Text: (415)-906-0847  help@socialserviceadvocacy.com	Test Strips Narcan
  	NoahS's Arc Foundation 4137 Norse Way, Long Beach, CA 90808 (562)-625-2324	Test Strips