FRESNO – Assemblyman Jim Patterson was joined by partners in law enforcement, education, and addiction treatment to announce legislative efforts that would create a new state grant to fund outreach, prevention and awareness of the fentanyl crisis.
AB 2365 would fund six pilot projects throughout the state focused on reducing fentanyl overdose and use. Local government agencies (i.e. education, law enforcement, public health, etc.) would apply for grant funds to increase awareness and education about the dangers of fentanyl.
Over the last two years, Fresno County’s law enforcement and education leaders collaborated to fund billboard campaigns, run PSA’s at local movie theaters, radio ads, TikTok videos, and work collaboratively with mental health professionals sharing the very real dangers of fentanyl.
“When I found out what our community partners were already doing out of their own department budgets to educate teens and parents about fentanyl, it was clear the state needed to pitch in. Not just to help Fresno County, but to make sure other counties have funding to do what we’ve done here.” Assemblyman Jim Patterson said. “We know this kind of outreach can have a big impact.”
These pilot projects can include, but are not limited to, awareness campaigns such as billboards and commercials, educating students and other young people as well as their parents, and offering additional mental health resources to survivors of fentanyl overdose before they leave the hospital.