Local teens can hone their creative skills while educating their peers about the dangers of the opioid epidemic through Long Beach’s new Youth Opioid Awareness Campaign.
Led by the health department’s Harm Reduction Program alongside the nonprofit Youth Leadership Institute (YLI), this program will consist of multimedia workshops focused on raising awareness and sharing opioid overdose prevention techniques. The campaign will run through October.
“Engaging and uplifting youth is our City’s priority,” said Mayor Rex Richardson in a public statement. “This opioid awareness campaign will protect our young residents by providing them with vital education and prevention techniques, as well as a platform for their voices to be heard. By engaging youth in this meaningful work, we are fostering a sense of community and building a generation of informed leaders who are equipped to tackle the challenges ahead.”
Long Beach high school students ages 14 to 18 who want to participate in the Youth Opioid Awareness Campaign are invited to apply. Those from communities of color and impacted by the opioid crisis are especially encouraged to apply.
Participants will be instructed in after-school workshops now through June in creating youth-led media, such as social media messaging and self-published storytelling zines that detail the damaging effects of opioids and support options for the opioid epidemic.
In July, the campaign will grow to include local young adults (ages 18 to 24), with more information on how they can apply to be announced in the ensuing weeks.
Those who participate in the workshops will have opportunities to showcase their zines in local community spaces, businesses and libraries in addition to being featured on the City’s and YLI’s websites and other digital platforms.
“Raising awareness about the opioid epidemic among young people is a critical part of our prevention efforts,” Dr. Anissa Davis, city health officer, said in a public statement. “This campaign allows us to engage youth where they are by utilizing creative and culturally relevant approaches to deliver education and awareness in an engaging and interactive way.”
Eligible youth are required to apply by 7 p.m. on March 21 to participate in the program. Chosen applicants will be contacted by the YLI and the health departmen’s selection committee. Additional information on how to submit the application and rules for eligibility can be found on the YLI website. Any related questions about the program can be emailed to comar@yli.org.
This youth-oriented awareness campaign was made possible by the California Opioid Settlements, which provides funds to cities and counties to combat the opioid crisis throughout the state.
To learn more about Long Beach Health and Human Services’ Harm Reduction Program, visit longbeach.gov/harmreduction.
