MEDIA ADVISORY
For Immediate Release
Contact: Marsha@cocosouthla.org
- WHAT:
- A kick-off event for National Prevention Week celebrating students who are “On Point--Youth Using Positive Coping Skills to Get Through Life Without Drugs and Alcohol!” The kick-off event will include families and students from KIPP SoCal Public Schools, community-based organizations, and SPA 6 prevention providers who will hand out prevention resources, like Narcan.
The event will include speakers, a resource fair featuring prevention vendors, art activities, and treats. This is an opportunity to keep prevention messaging in the public eye, showcasing the hope and success of students when fentanyl overdose deaths continue to threaten the lives of LA’s youth.
- A kick-off event for National Prevention Week celebrating students who are “On Point--Youth Using Positive Coping Skills to Get Through Life Without Drugs and Alcohol!” The kick-off event will include families and students from KIPP SoCal Public Schools, community-based organizations, and SPA 6 prevention providers who will hand out prevention resources, like Narcan.
- WHEN: Monday, May 13, 2024, 2 p.m.
- WHERE: KIPP Academy of Opportunity Basketball Courts, 8500 S. Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90003
- WHO:
- LA City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson, 8th District
- Carlos Leon, Community Coalition’s Director of Health Initiatives
- Chinedu Udeh, KIPP Empower Academy School Leader
- Emily V., South Central Youth Empowered Thru Action Member
- KIPP SoCal Parent
- WHY:
- Fentanyl-related deaths soared 1,280% between 2016 and 2021 in LA County, becoming its deadliest drug. National Prevention Week is designed to create an expansive conversation that recognizes how the built environment can play a significant role in shaping patterns of drug use and addiction in the community and contribute to experimentation with drugs among young people.
Factors such as lack of resources, high crime rates, economic inequality, and proximity to smoke shops, liquor Stores, dispensaries, and motels in the Figueroa Corridor require a comprehensive approach that strengthens the social safety net through community empowerment, social justice, investment in resources/services, policies that promote health equity, and partnerships with our schools.
- Fentanyl-related deaths soared 1,280% between 2016 and 2021 in LA County, becoming its deadliest drug. National Prevention Week is designed to create an expansive conversation that recognizes how the built environment can play a significant role in shaping patterns of drug use and addiction in the community and contribute to experimentation with drugs among young people.
#30#
About Community Coalition: For more than 30 years, CoCo has elevated South LA’s voice and empowered residents to drive positive economic development that reduces crime, poverty, and substance abuse.
About KIPP SoCal Public Schools: Since 2003, KIPP SoCal has established joyful, academically excellent charter public schools throughout Los Angeles & San Diego that prepare students for college, career and beyond.
About The SLAM Coalition: SLAM provides prevention education, outreach, and resources that increase awareness and help to reduce underage use of marijuana, tobacco, alcohol, and prescription drugs.
About Day One: Day One is a community-based nonprofit with a 37-year history of providing effective and culturally sensitive public health education, intervention, and policy development in the San Gabriel Valley.