Narcan hits Southern California streets — and soon store shelves — to fend off the opioid crisis
PUBLISHED: June 30, 2023 at 6:20 AM PDT | UPDATED: June 30, 2023 at 4:55 PM PDT
“Do you need any Narcan?” — How Compassion and Connection Are Saving Lives in Orange County
The Orange County Register recently profiled Harm Reduction Circle and our Executive Director, Annastasia Rose Beal, highlighting the organization’s work bringing life-saving naloxone (Narcan®) and harm-reduction services directly to people in need across Santa Ana and Orange County.
The article captures what has long been at the heart of Harm Reduction Circle’s mission — meeting people where they are, without judgment, and building trust through consistent, compassionate outreach. Whether traveling by electric skateboard or on foot, Annastasia and our volunteers distribute naloxone, condoms, hygiene supplies, water, and electrolyte packets — small tools that make an enormous difference for individuals at risk of overdose or heat-related illness.
The article contextualizes Harm Reduction Circle’s work within a broader movement: expanding public access to naloxone and normalizing its presence in everyday spaces — from schools and libraries to music festivals and motels. As naloxone becomes available over the counter, advocates like Annastasia continue to show what accessibility looks like in action.
“Everyone should be carrying Narcan,” she said. “It’s not about enabling use — it’s about keeping people alive long enough to have options.”
By reducing stigma, building partnerships, and ensuring consistent access to lifesaving tools, Harm Reduction Circle demonstrates how peer-led harm-reduction programs can strengthen both individual safety and public health.
Harm Reduction Circle continues to expand outreach in Orange County and at nightlife events statewide, pairing overdose prevention with education, food access, and peer support. Our goal is to make naloxone as commonplace — and as accepted — as a first-aid kit.
We’re grateful to Hanna Lykke of the Orange County Register for writing the story, and photojournalist Jeff Gritchen for shining a light on this work and on the people we serve every day.
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