Fentanyl

The SafeRx project aims to distribute Narcan to six local bars, three in North County and three in South County. The organization has successfully partnered ...

Although bars and nightlife venues don’t want to promote drug use, there is a growing consensus that protecting the well-being of patrons is crucial. 2 town hall organized by the Health Services Agency of Santa Cruz County to discuss the ongoing response to the fentanyl crisis, Hewitt described bar owners as “somewhat receptive” to having Narcan on hand: “It’s taking a little time for the bar owners to kind of understand why we’re there and what we’re asking them to do.” “We don’t want to be unprepared and have to wait for a call.” I hate wearing my seatbelt, but I do it anyways, because I’m reducing the risk of harm if a car accident were to happen.” The general manager of the Redroom, Gannon Akin, said they would be open to having Narcan on hand as well. SafeRx’s initiative made having Narcan on hand for both staff and patrons at the Slough Brewing Collective easy, says Celis. The organization has successfully partnered with one bar thus far, the Slough Brewing Collective in Watsonville, and hopes to collaborate with several more in the new year. In the new year, the SafeRx team hopes to recruit five more establishments to the project. For interested patrons, staff keep a stash of free Narcan in discreet black baggies behind the bar. The organization has successfully partnered with one establishment thus far, the Slough Brewing Collective in Watsonville, and hopes to collaborate with several more in the new year. “The young 20s to 30s is where we’re seeing a significant amount of fatalities. Sometimes more than one dose of Narcan is necessary to revive someone, in which case sprays should be alternated between nostrils.