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Council votes to host fentanyl and neonatal abstinence syndrome town hall after medical partners offer support
Summary
The council unanimously approved a town hall on fentanyl and neonatal abstinence syndrome after health partners from LA General offered to help organize expert presenters, resources and outreach.
The South El Monte City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a community town hall focused on fentanyl and neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) following presentations by health partners who offered to assist with planning and outreach.
Dr. Julia Ruedas, representing the LA General Medical Center Foundation (formerly LAC+USC), asked the council to host a town hall to raise awareness, provide medical information and connect residents to services. "A community town hall on fentanyl and NAS would be a powerful step, towards breaking this cycle," Dr. Ruedas told the council. Analay Alcantara, a community engagement coordinator with the Southern Monte Breathe Clean Coalition (affiliated with LA General), also urged the council to support awareness and prevention work.
Mayor Gloria Olmos said the topic is urgent for parents and schools. She told the council the city recently lost a student to an overdose: "We just unfortunately had, 1 of our community members pass away from an overdose of Nas. And he was 1 of our students," the mayor said during the meeting.
Councilmember Hector Delgado moved to hold the town hall and Councilmember Rudy seconded the motion. The council voted 5-0 to approve the town-hall planning; staff will schedule the event and work with LA General Medical Center Foundation and other local partners on speakers and outreach.
Why it matters: Local health providers say fentanyl exposure and NAS are rising concerns. Council approval authorizes city staff to plan a public event that can distribute medical and prevention resources and connect families to treatment and social services.
What happens next: Staff will coordinate with LA General Medical Center Foundation and local organizations to set a date and identify expert speakers, frontline providers and services to be included in the town hall. The council did not approve a budget appropriation at the meeting; staff will return with logistics and cost estimates as necessary.
