The Cities of Lancaster and Palmdale Join Forces to End the Opioid Crisis

PALMDALE/LANCASTER - The cities of Lancaster and Palmdale are joining forces to fight the opioid crisis that has been devastating their communities in the Antelope Valley. Thanks to a recent lawsuit settlement with Jansen Pharmaceuticals, where courts ordered Jansen and its distributors to pay $26 billion nationall. California will receive an estimated $2.5 billion distributed over the next 18

years to develop and implement opioid abatement measures. The funds will be used to provide services such as naloxone training, opioid abuse treatment, services for opioid-addicted pregnancies, and treatment for neonatal abstinence syndrome.

This collaborative effort will ensure that all residents of the Antelope Valley have access to the resourcesthey need to combat this crisis. The cities of Palmdale and Lancaster also agree to utilize a regional service provider to facilitate the

two communities with the highest impact of abatement services. "We understand that our two cities are home to many in the Antelope Valley," said Mayor Bettencourt of the Palmdale City Council. "This collaboration demonstrates our dual commitment to address this

need and help all the residents in our greater community." "The opioid crisis is a serious issue that requires a collective effort from our communities. We are proud to partner with the City of Palmdale to provide the resources necessary to combat this epidemic effectively. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected in the Antelope Valley." - R. Rex Parris, Mayor of the City of Lancaster. The collaboration is a crucial step in the right direction to combat the opioid crisis in the Antelope Valley. This funding will help provide resources to those in need while helping to reduce the stigma of addiction. The Cities are setting an example for other communities to follow in their efforts to battle the opioid epidemic.