LA County Naloxone Program Saves 96% of Overdose Patients Since 2022

Los Angeles County spends millions each year on overdose prevention, handing out free naloxone to reverse opioid effects. Critics call it enabling addiction, but supporters cite Los Angeles City Fire Department data showing a 96% survival rate.

CBS News California Investigates reviewed LAFD figures: 24,503 of 25,461 patients given naloxone since 2022 survived, or about 96%. The L.A. County Department of Public Health reported 2024's biggest drop in overdose deaths yet, including a 37% decline in fentanyl cases since 2014, when officials started tracking homeless mortality.

Naloxone, the generic name for the fast-acting opioid reversal drug, counters overdoses from heroin, fentanyl and prescription painkillers, the department says. Narcan is a leading brand.

Public health officials credit the gains to more prevention efforts, harm reduction, mental health care and substance treatment. A 21% drop in overdose deaths among homeless people drove much of the progress.

"Narcan reverses an overdose almost instantaneously, and it has been shown over and over and over again," said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, the department's director.

State data from the California Department of Health Care Services show harm reduction programs, county health agencies and law enforcement lead in naloxone reversals.

Since 2022, California has committed over $130 million to the Naloxone Distribution Project for free nasal spray. The program draws state general funds and opioid settlement money from Janssen and Distributors agreements.

L.A. County's public health department gives away free naloxone and fentanyl test strips via multiple programs. Some library branches run clinics, and over 50 self-service machines dispense naloxone.

John Alle, co-founder of Safe Cities and owner of properties including the building with Langer's Deli near MacArthur Park, opposes free naloxone. He says it draws people to the park to use meth and fentanyl around the clock.

Alle blames Narcan handouts and drug gear from harm reduction for crime at the park. He wants more homeless shelters, treatment centers and mental health services away from parks.

On Wednesday, federal agents swept MacArthur Park in "Operation Free MacArthur Park," a two-month effort, said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. They served 25 arrest warrants and eight search warrants on fentanyl and meth dealers, seizing about 19 kilograms of fentanyl and arresting 18 people.

The public health department confirms it distributes Narcan and generic naloxone as harm reduction near Alle's building.

LAFD data show more than 30 naloxone uses in the MacArthur Park area this year. In 2025, there were 135 incidents.

Ferrer pushes back: "People don't actually look forward to overdosing and being revived with Narcan. It's not a pleasant experience." Free access does not fuel addiction, she said.

"I think what it is we have to meet people where they're at," Ferrer added. "We have to offer them support. We have to offer them all of the tools in the toolkit."

In January, body camera footage showed LAPD Officer Jonathan Melendez and a partner save a man overdosing in a Hollywood road. His nails and lips were blue, skin gray, eyes rolled back. Melendez spotted no pulse and pegged it as fentanyl or heroin.

He started CPR until a second unit brought naloxone. Melendez gave three doses of Narcan while doing compressions until it worked.

"Seeing him breathe on his own was a big relief," Melendez said.

Michael Williams, watching the video, recalled his own November 2024 overdose on crack and fentanyl in an ambulance. Someone said "Welcome back" to him too.

He credits naloxone and CPR for his second chance, just like the man in the video. "He was given another life," Williams said. "I was given another life."

Capt. Robert Peters of LAPD's Hollywood Division praised Melendez. "The Narcan was one thing, but he provided CPR for an extended period of time and if you watch the video, you can see him, he's giving sternum rubs, trying to keep the guy conscious," Peters said. "You can hear him saying, 'Stay with me, stay with me,' it was very impressive."

Melendez has used Narcan three times on duty. His military CPR training helps, and he reviews American Heart Association YouTube videos set to the Bee Gees' "Staying Alive" for rhythm.

Weeks after entering L.A. Mission's recovery program, Williams saw naloxone save a man who overdosed in the dorms, where kits are taped to bunks.

Now, nearly a year and a half later, Williams volunteers there. "I had a purpose before, but I didn't really understand what that purpose was until I was given a second chance or a second opportunity to really see what that's like," he said.

Anyone can help, Melendez said. "I think that being calm in the situations, being comfortable knowing that you know what's going on, can lead to a better success rate."

Los Angeles County harm reduction spending has climbed:

FY 20-21: $500,000

FY 21-22: $975,628

FY 22-23: $3,855,162

FY 23-24: $4,982,153

FY 24-25: $6,931,879

FY 25-26 Q1-2: $3,394,079

FY 25-26 Q3-4 allocated: $4,745,000

Source: Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

Naloxone incidents in MacArthur Park area, 2025-2026:

January 2025: 7

February: 2

March: 11

April: 15

May: 15

June: 10

July: 9

August: 9

September: 11

October: 16

November: 12

December: 18

January 2026: 14

February: 7

March: 12

Source: Los Angeles City Fire Department