Employees and probation officers working at Los Angeles County juvenile detention centers will carry naloxone with them under a motion approved by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.
Naloxone, commonly referred to as Narcan, is a drug used to reverse the effects of opioids and to prevent overdose. In January 2023, the board approved a motion to make Narcan available in juvenile halls and detention centers.
It called for staff to be trained in the use of the drug.
“Naloxone has the power to save lives by reversing the effects of opioids, including fentanyl, and is fairly easy to administer when readily available,” the motion states.
Supervisors Janice Hahn and Lindsey Horvath championed the cause, calling out probation officers, substance use disorder treatment providers, Department of Mental Health providers and trusted messengers to deliver Narcan.
Tuesday’s motion follows a probation board report that found three doses of naloxone had been administered in two separate incidents since October 2023 at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, the county’s only pre-trial juvenile facility. He cited the book and emphasized the need for a probation committee. Access has increased. In a surprise inspection by the POC, only five of the 12 probation officers carried naloxone, and the closest access to naloxone was in a locked box or locked office.
“Los Padrinos substance use disorder providers are currently not allowed to bring naloxone into the facility, but we are requesting an outline of a process from the Probation Department that would allow us to do so,” according to the motion. .
According to the motion, SUD providers are experts in identifying and treating addiction and overdose, making it essential for them to carry naloxone when working with incarcerated youth.
The Committee directed the POC to regularly inspect juvenile detention facilities to ensure implementation of access to naloxone.
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