Drug Awareness Foundation

JULI SHAMASH, PRESIDENT OF THE DRUG AWARENESS FOUNDATION, SPONSORED AND ADVOCATED FOR CA SB864 TYLER'S LAW, WHICH REQUIRES MANDATORY FENTANYL TESTING WHENEVER CALIFORNIA HOSPITALS ORDER A STANDARD FIVE-PANEL DRUG TEST. IT WAS SIGNED BY CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM ON AUGUST 22, 2022 AND IT WENT INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1, 2023. WE ENCOURAGE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO HAVE NALOXONE IN SCHOOLS AND HAVE THEIR SCHOOL POLICE CARRY IT.WE CONTACT UNIVERSITIES AND URGE THEM TO HAVE NALOXONE IN ALL OF THEIR DORMS AND TO INCLUDE INFORMATION IN THEIR FRESHMAN ORIENTATION ABOUT FENTANYL-POISONED DRUGS.WE SPEAK TO COLLEGE FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES TO TEACH ABOUT HARM REDUCTION AND TO GIVE STUDENTS THE TOOLS TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS. WE PROVIDE ACCESS TO NALOXONE AND FENTANYL TESTING STRIPS AND EXPLAIN HOW TO USE THEM.WE PUT UP BILLBOARDS, BUS ADS, AND STREET LEVEL POSTERS TO WARN THE PUBLIC ABOUT FENTANYL-POISONED DRUGS.WE HAVE BOOTHS AT COMMUNITY EVENTS TO EDUCATE AND RAISE AWARENESS. WE SPEAK TO SCHOOLS, RELIGIOUS, PARENT, AND PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS ABOUT ADDICTION AND OVERDOSE PREVENTION. WE POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO RAISE AWARENESS AND INFORM ABOUT HARM REDUCTION. WE GET LOCAL GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS AND THE PYLONS AT LAX TO TURN PURPLE FOR OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY ON AUGUST 31.