Fentanyl Awareness During Festival Season

As Riverside County grapples with a troubling opioid crisis, health experts are urging festival-goers to be cautious as they prepare for the upcoming festival season. Last year alone, fentanyl, a powerful opioid, claimed the lives of 532 people across the county, underscoring the growing dangers associated with drug use at large gatherings like music festivals.

Fentanyl is small—about the size of a grain of salt—but it is up to 50 times more potent than heroin and can be laced into nearly any drug, making it nearly impossible to detect by sight, taste, or smell. Medical professionals are emphasizing the risks, especially in light of the upcoming festivals like Coachella, where large crowds and recreational drug use create a dangerous environment. For Jennifer Loza, the issue is deeply personal. She tragically lost her son, Steven, to a fentanyl overdose in October 2020. Steven, known for his humor and generosity, passed away at just 18 years old. Jennifer describes the pain of losing her son as a devastating blow to her family.

"We had already lost my husband. We were a family of four, now we're a family of two," she reflects, her voice filled with sorrow.

Steven's overdose occurred despite the presence of Narcan—an overdose-reversal drug—among the group he was with. Tragically, those around him did not use the Narcan or seek help in time. This experience has driven Jennifer to create "Forever 18," a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness about fentanyl's dangers and advocating for the widespread availability of Narcan. In an effort to combat the growing crisis, state health officials have placed billboards along the 10 freeway targeting Coachella attendees. The billboards urge festival-goers to carry Narcan, noting its potential to save lives. Dr. Andrew Kassinove, a medical professional at JFK Memorial Hospital, reassures the public that the hospital is prepared for any emergencies related to fentanyl overdoses, which could be particularly prevalent during the festival season.

"We are always prepared in the emergency department for this kind of thing. It’s what we do for a living," Dr. Kassinove says.

While Narcan can reverse an opioid overdose if administered quickly, Jennifer Loza stresses that it is not a cure-all. Officials stress if you see someone overdosing, contact 911 immediately. For more information tune into NBC Palm Springs.