LA City Council unanimously agrees to explore pilot program for fentanyl detection devices

Los Angeles City Council members on Tuesday unanimously voted to explore a pilot program into the potential distribution of handheld fentanyl detection devices to residents free of charge. 

"The device prevents overdoses before they happen, having these kits accessible to all Los Angeles residents, in conjunction with overdose reversal efforts and solutions, will save countless lives," the motion said. 

The devices would require no training and would allow people to rest substances for traces of fentanyl prior to use to make sure they're safe.  

Now, the Office of Procurement and other departments will report on such a program that would be funded by the city's opioid settlement account. The motion was introduced by councilmembers Monica Rodriguez and Hugo Soto-Martinez. 

The motion cites information from the U.S. Centers for Disease and Control, which said that there were more than 110,000 deaths related to drug overdoses throughout the nation in 2023 — nearly 3,100 of which occurred in Los Angeles County. 

While there more than 80 people died from overdoses in the Westlake area in that same time frame, but with training and education there were 6,821 overdoses that were reversed in Los Angeles, city officials noted. 

They believe that they've made strides thus far in the harm reduction brought about by the overdose reversal products, but believe that even more can be done. 

Los Angeles city is expected to receive almost $29.6 million to $53.3 million over an 18-year period from two settlements that were reached with opioid distributors in 2021, 90% of which is restricted for the future opioid remediation efforts. The other 20% is for opioid-related projects or to reimburse the city for Narcan purchases or overdose training for first responders, the motion noted.