Harm Reduction, Real Results

Community safety

San Fernando Valley County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit)

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

It's easy to point to the rise in fentanyl and opioid overdoses over the years as the main issue, but the deeper problem lies in the lack of education, limited access to harm reduction supplies, and the persistent stigma around harm reduction driven by the misconception that it encourages increased substance use. The truth is, everyone living in today’s world can benefit from education about the opioid crisis, learning about harm reduction practices, how to recognize an overdose, and how to properly administer Narcan. Same Difference is working to support these vulnerable populations by offering basic health care because making an autonomous choice should never lead to a preventable death.

The Same Difference Co Project will aim to increase community engagement, education, resources and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and substance related issues. It all starts with a conversation; this grant will assist Same Difference is creating community workshops, we will conduct regular workshops and seminars to raise awareness about the opioid epidemic, covering topics such as prevention, harm reduction, and available resources. Creating training for youth community leaders as well as adult community leaders, we will train community leaders and volunteers to serve as advocates and educators, expanding our reach and fostering a grassroots movement for change. The creation of the 1st Annual Same Difference Community Health Fair, funds will be allocated for renting space, hiring food vendors, and covering other essentials to organize our inaugural Same Difference Annual Health Fair. This event will unite local organizations to offer mental health and substance resources to our community. Lastly, a portion of the funding will be dedicated to assessing the effectiveness of our programs, gathering feedback from participants to continually improve our approach. Future goals include collaborating with LA Metro to install harm reduction vending machines at select bus stops throughout Los Angeles County. These machines would provide free Narcan and fentanyl test strips, strategically placed in areas where overdoses are more common such as transit hubs.

In 2023, for the first time in a decade, fatal drug-related overdoses plateaued in Los Angeles County. As these efforts continue, the county is expected to see a further decrease in opioid overdoses, along with an increase in community members carrying Narcan, using fentanyl test strips, and practicing safer use. These initiatives are also helping to create a culture where conversations about drug use, accidental overdoses, and harm reduction are less stigmatized and more openly discussed. Another key initiative is the continuation of the Live Like Miranda Project, which focuses on supporting local youth, particularly within the skateboarding community, a group historically impacted by mental health challenges, homelessness, and substance use. The project empowers youth by offering a healthy, positive outlet through free skateboards and community-building activities.