As the number of fentanyl overdoses soars on Oahu, the City Council is debating whether to arm bartenders with Narcan, a nasal spray that can reverse an opioid overdose.
A bill before the body would make Honolulu the first jurisdiction in the country to mandate all bars, night clubs and restaurants that serve alcohol have Narcan on site.
Some Honolulu bars, like Proof Social Club in Chinatown, already do.
Owner Jasmine Mancos said business is finally getting back to normal following the pandemic. “It’s definitely picking up,” she said. “We do a lot of live music. DJ’s. Different shows.”
But as Honolulu’s nightlife returns, fentanyl has become an emerging threat to the social scene and beyond. “It’s definitely an issue,” Mancos said. “Not just with bars and night clubs, but restaurants and really, anywhere you go nowadays.”