San Francisco Sun

San Francisco, CA – The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) and the Entertainment Commission, in collaboration with drag artists, will partner this August to enhance overdose awareness. The initiative aims to share critical information on detecting and responding to overdoses and provide lifesaving Naloxone training to San Francisco’s nightlife, entertainment, LGBTQ+, and African-American communities.

This partnership aligns with Overdose Awareness Week and International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) on August 31st. Since 2022, the two agencies have hosted overdose prevention trainings at nightlife venues and produced instructional content on accessing and administering naloxone, as well as using fentanyl testing strips.

In August 2023, SFDPH and the Entertainment Commission collaborated with Bay Area Drag Queen Kochina Rude for outreach events at Oasis and El Rio. These events aimed to raise awareness about overdoses and educate the nightlife community on prevention methods. In 2024, the campaign will continue through its partnership with Kochina Rude and will also include Drag Queen Nicki Jizz, a BIPOC artist and overdose prevention advocate.

"Overdose education is important for everyone to know and understand because someone having the knowledge can save a life while emergency services are on the way,” said Drag Queen Nicki Jizz. “Overdoses can be prevented with the right education and a dose of naloxone. Since I have learned about overdose prevention, I've been able to put it to use and save someone from overdosing. It’s also a way to bring our community together and show that every life is precious."

More than 75% of overdose deaths in San Francisco result from fentanyl, which is significantly more potent than morphine or heroin. Naloxone is a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses. Fentanyl test strips allow users to check if their drugs contain fentanyl.

“The Entertainment Commission is excited to partner again with SFDPH and local drag artists on this critical outreach to empower our nightlife community with the knowledge and tools to protect themselves and others from accidental overdoses from fentanyl,” said Entertainment Commission Executive Director Maggie Weiland. “We are also delighted that this work elevates San Francisco’s world-renowned drag community.”

Since January 2023, SFDPH has distributed over 300 Naloxone kits to nightlife venues and provided in-person training for more than 200 individuals. In 2024, SFDPH distributed 1200 fentanyl testing strips across six different venues in the city.

“This work saves lives,” said Eileen Loughran, Director of Overdose Prevention at SFDPH. “Fentanyl is deadly; it is often present in recreational drugs unbeknownst to the user. It is important that everyone knows how to save a person from accidental overdose.”

International Overdose Awareness Day – held on August 31st – aims to end overdose stigma while remembering those who have died.

Several events throughout August are scheduled:

- Thursday, Aug 1: Beaux – “Queer Pop” hosted by Nicki Jizz

- Friday, Aug 9: Oasis – “Reparations: An All-Black Drag Show” hosted by Nicki Jizz

- Saturday, Aug 10: Oasis – “Princess: A Disco-Pop Dance Party” hosted by Kochina Rude

- Saturday, Aug 31: Beaux – “US: Celebrating BIPOC Excellence” hosted by Mercedez Munro

For more information visit: https://sf.gov/overdose-prevention-nightlife

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