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City of Long Beach Offers Free Fentanyl Test Kits by Mail
By Staff Writer
Published on Fri, Feb 20, 2026
Long Beach is making it easier than ever for residents to access life-saving overdose prevention tools — free of charge and delivered directly to their homes.
The City’s Department of Health and Human Services has expanded its Harm Reduction Program to include a mail-based delivery option, allowing residents to request free fentanyl and xylazine test strips, naloxone and educational materials online at longbeach.gov/harmreduction.
The expansion comes in direct response to City Council recommendations to develop a pilot program providing all-in-one fentanyl detection devices at no cost to residents. The item was brought forward in November 2024 by Second District Councilwoman Cindy Allen and co-sponsored by Sixth District Councilwoman Dr. Suely Saro and Third District Councilwoman Kristina Duggan, with a focus on ensuring equitable access to life-saving tools in communities most impacted by opioid-related overdoses and deaths.
Each mailed package includes:
- Fentanyl and xylazine test strips
- Clear instructions and educational materials
- Two doses of naloxone, the nasal spray medication that can reverse an opioid overdose
Fentanyl test strips are single-use tools that allow people to check substances for the presence of fentanyl before use. Because fentanyl is extremely potent and often mixed into other drugs without a person’s knowledge, testing can significantly reduce the risk of accidental overdose.
Orders are typically processed within 48 hours and usually arrive within three business days in discreet packaging.
Preliminary data from the Health Department’s Vital Records Office shows that approximately 224 Long Beach residents died from fentanyl-involved overdoses between 2022 and 2024. Nearly half of those deaths occurred in residential settings, and most involved men between the ages of 25 and 34.
The impact has been especially concentrated in ZIP codes 90813, 90802, 90805 and 90806, which accounted for nearly half of fentanyl-related overdose deaths during that period.
At the same time, prevention efforts are showing measurable progress. According to the CDC, cities nationwide are beginning to see declines in opioid-related overdose deaths, and Long Beach is among those experiencing improvement. Comparing preliminary data from 2023 to 2024, the City saw a 39% drop in fentanyl-related overdose deaths. Health officials attribute that decline in part to expanded prevention efforts, wider availability of naloxone and increased access to free test kits.
In addition to mail-based kits, the Health Department continues to offer free community workshops and training sessions on overdose prevention and how to use naloxone.
By expanding access, responding to community needs and lowering barriers to prevention, Long Beach is working to ensure more residents have the tools and knowledge needed to prevent overdose and save lives.
Residents who would like to request a kit or learn more can visit longbeach.gov/harmreduction.
