Entertainment Commission launches nightlife overdose-prevention campaign, shows training video

Dylan Rice, senior analyst for the San Francisco Entertainment Commission, told commissioners on July 18 that fentanyl is driving most accidental fatal overdoses in the city and presented a campaign to train nightlife workers and increase access to naloxone and fentanyl test strips.

Rice said the city medical examiner’s June report shows that from January through May 2023, 79 percent of accidental fatal overdoses involved fentanyl. "Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that's 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine," he said, explaining why the commission is prioritizing industry outreach.

The commission previewed an eight‑minute training video developed with the Department of Public Health and SFGovTV, featuring harm‑reduction educator and performer Kachina Rood. The excerpt demonstrated how to recognize an overdose and how to administer naloxone intranasally; the presenter emphasized calling 911 and giving a second dose of Narcan if there is no response after two minutes. Rice said the campaign includes an online resource page with step‑by‑step guidance and links to supplies and partner organizations.

Rice described early results from a June summit and online outreach: the training video has reached a combined audience of more than 109,000 views and roughly 5,800 likes across platforms, and permit holders have already sought in‑person training from DPH. The commission said it has piloted in‑person trainings and supply distributions at nightlife events in partnership with DPH and community organizations and will evaluate the pilot in August.

Commissioners and members of the public raised operational questions about how many Narcan doses venues should carry, the retail cost once Narcan becomes available over the counter and liability concerns if a venue runs out of supply. Rice and staff offered to follow up with detailed guidance for permit holders and to coordinate DPH resources. A public commenter suggested distributing Narcan to taxi drivers and union representatives to broaden access outside venues.

The commission also flagged a separate policy question: whether the department should consider permit‑condition changes that would require permit holders to keep Narcan on site with trained staff. Rice said staff will continue outreach and report back to the commission after the pilot evaluation in August.

The presentation concluded with commissioners thanking staff and partner organizations and encouraging continued cross‑departmental work to expand trainings and supplies.