Health
‘Forever 18’ Raises Awareness About Fentanyl Overdose, Poisoning
“My son, we don’t call it overdose, we call it poisoning. But he was poisoned by fentanyl on October 24, 2020,” said Jennifer Loza, Founder of Ronnie’s House for Hope.
Steven Loza, a beloved son and brother, is one of more than 93,000 people who died of drug overdose in 2020.
A number that continues to increase each year.
“It wreaks havoc on the family,” said Loza. “It wreaks havoc on the individual who’s struggling.”
Nearly two years later, Loza is still coping with the loss.
Holding back tears, she shares memories of her son, an 18-year-old, fresh out of high school with his whole life ahead of him, at the time of his death.
“Oh my gosh, he was such a bright light. He would save anything and anyone. He would help anyone in need at any time,” said Loza. “He struggled with giving the same kind of love to himself.”
Loza says since his death, many have victimized her son, labeling him an ‘addict’.
But to Loza, Steven was a person, like thousands of others, who struggled with a serious illness.
“People who have substance use disorder don’t want to have substance use disorder. It is a very vicious cycle,” said Loza. “But stigma keeps them from getting help and the lack of resources to get appropriate help when they need it.”
Turning her grief into hope, Loza is working to remove the stigma of overdose by educating the community, especially teenagers, about the opioid epidemic.
“That’s how we eliminate the stigma. People look at addicts or someone who is struggling with drugs as less than. But every single person… my own children, I know who they are as individuals. They are good people with good hearts, but they struggled with a disease.”
Her nonprofit – Ronnie’s House For Hope – developed a new program focusing on fentanyl awareness.
“We created a really powerful fentanyl awareness program that’s relatable to teens where they would learn about Steven but also learn about not putting their life in the hands of their friends. They would learn about the 9-1-1 Good Samaritan Law…”
The goal is to increase awareness about the dangers of overdose and poisoning, reduce the demand for drugs, and as a result, save “precious” lives.
“We have to reduce demand by educating… Knowledge is power and we are not going to jail our way… it’s not going to solve the problem,” said Loza. “These addicts that are struggling… they’re human beings. They have hopes, they have dreams, they have children, they have moms, so offer a little kindness. You just don’t know what they’re going through and how hard it really is.”
By: NBC Palm Springs
August 31, 2022
Latest Instagram Posts
Who makes the NBC Top 3, winner will be announced Sunday night on NBC Palm Springs, with the player who makes the number one spot winning a $250 prize from @hondaofthedesert! Comment below if it will be 1) Sterling Conley with the rushing TD, 2) Marcus Kennedy with the touchdown catch, 3) Cade Pinon with the big time sack, 4) Kingston Pellum with the pick-6, or 5) Caleb Hartwell with the saving throw #fypage #fridaynightlights #football #hondaofthedesert #highschoolfootball
James Nellis from @dsrt_club_lq and @rd_rnnr_lq makes us one of his signature dishes, his Maine scallops with hibiscus puree. His creativity and skill lead to unique bold flavors and scrumptious dishes. We chat about his love of trying new things in the kitchen, what being a chef means to him, and how food can different, flavorful, and fun. This is James Nellis on a plate. See it now on nbcpalmsprings.com
At the annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, first responders, families and community members came together to honor the lives lost—and the heroes who answered the call 25 years ago on September 11, 2001. Two first responders who responded to opposite sides of the World Trade Center met for the first time at the event, sharing a powerful moment of remembrance and connection. 26 flights. Three times. One enduring message: Never Forget. #NeverForget #September11 #911Memorial #MemorialStairClimb #FirstResponders HonorAndRemember 911
Palm Desert’s future takes center stage next week. The Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce presents the 2026 State of the City Address & Luncheon on Friday, September 18, at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort. The event brings together local business leaders, community members and city stakeholders for an inside look at the priorities, opportunities and future of Palm Desert. Friday, September 18 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort Palm Desert Individual tickets are $85 for Chamber members and $95 for non-members. Get the details and registration information from the Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce. #PalmDesert #StateOfTheCity #CoachellaValley #PalmDesertBusiness #GreaterPalmSprings #PalmDesertChamber
25 years later, the memories of 9/11 remain vivid for the firefighters who witnessed the tragedy firsthand. A longtime FDNY firefighter reflects on the trauma, loss and moments that have stayed with him a quarter-century after the attacks. #911 #September11 #NeverForget #FDNY #Firefighter #911Anniversary #25YearsLater #NewYorkCity #Remembering911 #NBCTPalmSprings
A troubling history is coming to light in a Palm Desert husband’s death. 65-year old Vicky Kim is accused in the death of her husband — but prosecutors say she had previously faced several domestic violence cases involving him. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office says it had secured protective orders against Kim before a judge later resolved her cases as misdemeanors, released her from custody and terminated those orders. Now, Kim is expected to be arraigned in connection with her husband’s death. Court records allege the weapon used was a flagpole.
☕️🔥 How hot is TOO hot? A new study finds that drinking scalding-hot beverages may be linked to nearly 3 times the risk of esophageal cancer—the most common type of cancer affecting the esophagus. The takeaway? Let that coffee, tea or other hot drink cool down before taking a sip. ❤️ #HealthNews #EsophagealCancer #CancerRisk #HotBeverages #Coffee #Tea #CancerAwareness #HealthyHabits #HealthTips
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. The squishy craze!
Coachella city council unanimously approved an anti-nepotism rule that ban an any Councilmember from appointing a family member or household member to the city’s commissions and committees. Tune in to our 11 p.m newscast as our @newsbyalondra breaks down the policy.
An anti-nepotism rule will be discussed and voted on at tonight’s Coachella City Council meeting - that would ban city council members from appointing their own family members or household members to commissions and committees. Tune in to our 8:30 p.m newscast and our socials and website as our @newsbyalondra brings us the latest details on that final vote.