Doug McCann owns the popular K Street Dive Bar in downtown. His bar is known for its mermaid tank shows and themed cocktails, but the fun nightlife business comes with risks.
He says he considers the risks of opioid use more heavily than most businesses might since they serve alcohol, which, when mixed with opioids, can make overdosing even easier.
“If you’re a bar or restaurant that has liquor, there are two pathways to shut down breathing. One is opioids, the other is alcohol,” McCann said. “When you combine them, it’s not 1 + 1 = 2, it’s 1 + 1 = 3 or 5.”
That’s why McCann joined a city-led training this week designed to teach hospitality workers how to spot and respond to opioid overdoses. The training was hosted by the city’s Office of Nighttime Economy in partnership with the Sacramento County Opioid Coalition.
Participants learned how to administer Narcan, a nasal spray that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and restore breathing within minutes. McCann said he plans to train his entire staff after seeing how easy the medication is to use.
“I came here because I wanted to be able to train my employees and not rely on just one or two,” he said. “This way, everyone knows how to use it and we’re covered 24/7.”
John Adair, with the City of Sacramento’s Office of Nighttime Economy, said the training is part of outreach to Sacramento’s nightlife and restaurant community, groups that often encounter emergencies, such as overdoses.
“We want to be able to provide our businesses, whether it’s nighttime businesses, hospitality businesses, or residents, with tools for their tool belt,” Adair said.
Adair emphasized the importance of the city connecting with business owners to provide safety training similar to this, such as severe injury and bleeding response training.
“If we have a more connected, educated, and prepared community, it feels like it will be a safer community,” Adair said.
Joanna Roberto, program manager for the Sacramento County Opioid Coalition, led the session. She explained how Naloxone, the medication in Narcan, works by blocking opioids from attaching to receptors in the brain.
“Naloxone is safe, easy to use and legal to carry,” Roberto said. “It reverses opioid overdose by knocking opioids off the brain’s receptors and taking their place.”
Free supplies offered at the training included a Narcan nasal spray kit, CPR face shield and fentanyl test strips provided by the Sacramento County Opioid Coalition on Oct. 9, 2025.Tony Rodriguez/CapRadio
Roberto pointed to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data showing overdose deaths in the U.S. dropped about 25% between 2023 and 2024, crediting Naloxone distribution as a huge reason.
She also spent time dispelling myths about opioid overdose. She told the group that fentanyl can’t be absorbed through the skin, and Narcan is even safe to give if someone isn’t overdosing. Its effects last about 30 to 90 minutes, which means multiple doses might be needed.
Attendees also received fentanyl drug testing strips and information on how to order more Naloxone through the coalition for free for anyone in Sacramento County.
“You can pick them up from our office or order them online,” Roberto said. “We’re also happy to come out to businesses, youth groups, or churches to talk about recognizing overdoses and using Narcan.”
Each participant left with a Narcan kit, CPR face shield and local harm-reduction resources.
City officials said they plan to continue offering these trainings for hospitality and nightlife staff.
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