Commission highlights overdose-prevention outreach in nightlife, distributes naloxone at drag shows

Project and communications manager Dylan Rice told the Entertainment Commission that the office—s overdose-prevention campaign, launched with the San Francisco Department of Public Health in 2023, expanded outreach in 2025 with onstage naloxone trainings, venue partnerships and targeted promotions.

Rice said campaign activities focused on reaching nightlife workers and patrons in venues serving LGBTQ+ and Black communities, which public-health partners have identified as disproportionately affected by fentanyl-laced drugs. He described back-to-back outreach events in August in which the commission partnered with drag performers and queer venues to provide training and free naloxone. Rice said the program reached nearly 1,000 attendees across events and distributed about 140 doses of naloxone during the month—s activities, including a sold-out outreach event with 489 attendees.

Rice credited the Department of Public Health for providing medication and media support, and said the commission also staged a panel with the San Francisco AIDS Foundation that drew more than 50 attendees to discuss prevention in queer nightlife. He said social media amplification from drag-artist partners helped Instagram engagement perform strongly and that the campaign secured several local media placements plus two national features earlier in the year.

Commissioners praised the campaign—s partnerships and urged continued emphasis on training venue staff to ensure naloxone and other harm-reduction resources are accessible during large events. Rice said the commission is exploring a nightlife health-and-safety kit for new permitted venues that could include naloxone, earplugs, guidance on drink-spiking prevention and contact information for service organizations.

No formal vote was taken; commissioners and staff agreed to pursue further partnership work with DPH and community organizations.