>>> THANKS FOR JOINING US ON KBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

COMING UP, PROTECTION FROM MONKEYPOX, WE WILL LOOK AT THE SITUATION LOCALLY AS SUPPLIES RUN THING.

>>> A CHALLENGE KEEPING COLLEGE GRADS IN SAN DIEGO.

WHY MANY YOUNG PROFESSIONALS ARE STARTING CAREERS ELSEWHERE.

>>> AND SEE HOW SOON TO BE RELEASED INMATES ARE GUARDING TO GROW SKILLS THAT COULD HELP THEM ON THE OUTSIDE.

>>> IN THE COMING DAYS, IT WILL BRING BACK SOME OF SAN DIEGO'S BEST BIGGEST EVENT, JUST AS COVID-19 RE-EMERGES.

THE CDC ELEVATED THE RISK LEVEL FROM MEDIUM TO HIGH ON FRIDAY.

KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL TALKED TO DOCTORS ABOUT THE LATEST SURGE.

>> WE HAVE BEEN WATCHING THE VIRUS EVOLVE RAPIDLY.

>> Reporter: FROM THE WHITE HOUSE TO LOCAL HOSPITALS, THE WORD IS GOING OUT ABOUT THE LATEST MUTATION OF THE CORONAVIRUS.

>> THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF A SURGE.

>> Reporter: DR. WILLIAMS IS THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR FOR KAISER PERMANENTE IN SAN DIEGO, HE SAYS THAT EVERYONE SHOULD BE STEPPING UP THEIR EFFORTS TO STAY SAFE ON THE VIRUS.

MASKING, DISTANCING, ALL THE PRECAUTIONS WE HAVE BECOME SO FAMILIAR WITH OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

AND HE SAYS THE CURRENT SURGE IS LIKELY MUCH BIGGER THAN WE CAN MEASURE.

>> THE MEASURES THAT WE HAVE ARE ONES THAT WE WERE ABLE TO TEST, SO THERE'S A LOT OF NUMBERS THAT WE CAN SEE AT THIS TIME.

BECAUSE A LOT OF THEM ARE POSITIVE WHEN THEY TEST AT HOME AND THEY DON'T LET US KNOW ABOUT THE RESULTS.

>> Reporter: THE LATEST SURGE IS HAPPENING AS SAN DIEGO'S TWO BIGGEST EVENTS WILL UNFOLD IN PERSON.

PRIDE IS EXPECTED TO DRAW HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS THIS WEEKEND.

THEN, JUST A WEEK LATER,, CONDESCENDS ON SAN DIEGO.

ORGANIZER LETTING EVERYBODY KNOW THAT STRICT RULES WILL BE IN PLACE.

ATTENDEES, VENDORS AND EVERYONE WILL HAVE TO WEAR A MASK AT INDOOR EVENTS.

THE MASK HAS TO BE VISIBLE OUTSIDE OF THE COSTUME.

VERIFICATION OF FULL VACCINATION STATUS OR PROOF OF A NEGATIVE TEST TAKEN WITHIN 72 HOURS MUST BE SHOWN.

AND IT IS ALL SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

WE ASKED PRIDE ORGANIZERS WHAT MEASURES THEY ARE TAKING BUT THEY DIDN'T RESPOND BY THE TIME THIS STORY WENT INTO EDIT.

>> MANY PEOPLE THINK THAT IF YOU'RE OUTSIDE THAT YOU ARE OKAY.

SHE IS AN ACUTE MEDICAL OFFICER FOR BEING OUTSIDE IS SABER, BUT -- >> BUT WITH THESE BEING SO INFECTIOUS, WE HAVE TO BE EXTRA CAREFUL.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IS CLIMBING THROUGHOUT THE SCRIPTS SYSTEM AS WITH ALL HOSPITALS IN THE COUNTY.

WE REACHED OUT TO MULTIPLE PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR A COMMENT BUT NO ONE GOT BACK TO WAS IN TIME FOR INCLUSION IN THE STORY.

FORTUNATELY, WE ARE MUCH BETTER PREPARED NOW FOR AN INCREASE IN CASES.

THERE ARE TREATMENTS LIKE MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES AND DRUGS THAT ARE VERY EFFECTIVE.

BUT YOU CAN HEAR THE CONCERN IN THE VOICES OF DR. SHARIF AND DR. WILLIAM TSENG, ANOTHER SURGE IS BUILDING AND BIG EVENTS WITH LOTS OF PEOPLE HELP FEEL IT.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ON A SMALLER SCALE, ANOTHER HEALTH CONCERN, AMONG THOSE WHO MIGHT FIND THEMSELVES AT A PRIVATE PRIDE CELEBRATIONS.

KPBS REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN EXPLAINS WHY THE LGBT COMMUNITY IS PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO MONKEYPOX.

>> Reporter: AT LEAST SIX CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, NATIONWIDE JUST UNDER 1000 CASES HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED.

THE ILLNESS SPREADS THROUGH CLOSE CONTACT AND IT CAN CAUSE RASHES OR FLULIKE SYMPTOMS.

BUT MOST PEOPLE DON'T NEED TO BE HOSPITALIZED.

>> THE FACT THAT TRANSMISSION IS MORE DIFFICULT MEANS THAT THE RISK TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS REALLY LOW.

>> Reporter: COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER SAYS THAT THEY HAVEN'T FOUND EVIDENCE OF COMMUNITIES SPREAD, ALTHOUGH THAT IS LIKELY TO CHANGE.

JUST LIKE WITH COVID, MONKEYPOX CAN INFECT ANYONE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, NATIONWIDE, THE CDC REPORTS THAT , BISEXUAL AND OTHER MEN WHO HAVE WITH MEN HAVE MADE UP THE MAJORITY OF THE EARLY CASES.

BUT OFFICIALS STRESSED THAT ANYONE WHO COMES IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS MONKEYPOX WHETHER THAT BE SEXUAL OR OTHERWISE, CAN BE INFECTED.

>> I WANT TO BE REALLY CLEAR THAT THIS IS NOT A DISEASE OF GAY MEN OR INDIVIDUALS.

THIS IS A DISEASE THAT WE HAPPEN TO BE SEEING SPREADING CURRENTLY.

>> Reporter: AHEAD OF PRIDE WEEKEND, COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE OPERATING MONKEYPOX VACCINES TO THOSE HIGH RISK.

600 APPOINTMENT WERE MADE AVAILABLE AND ALL OF THEM WERE QUICKLY FILLED.

>> AND THIS WAS NOT A DECISION MADE BY THE COUNTY OR UNILATERAL, IT WAS A COOPERATION OF LGBTQ+ LEADERS.

>> Reporter: ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING SAN DIEGO PRIDE HAVEN'T BEEN HELP SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT VACCINATION EVENTS.

>> ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY, IS THAT WE CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER AND WE UNDERSTAND PUBLIC HEALTH AND WE NEED TO EDUCATE ONE ANOTHER, SO I'M REALLY EXCITED TO SEE HOW FOLKS ARE APPROACHING THAT.

>> Reporter: FERNANDO LOPEZ IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SAN DIEGO PRIDE, THEY DO WORRY ABOUT SOMEONE CREATING A FALSE STATEMENT.

>> WHAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT IS THAT WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE THAT MONKEYPOX MENINGITIS, COVID -- THESE ARE ILLNESSES, RIGHT THAT CAN IMPACT ANYONE.

SO, THE DANGER IS WHEN FOLKS PARTICULARLY IN THE MEDIA ARE MAKING THOSE SORT OF ILLNESSES UP TO BE ANYTHING THAN WHAT THEY ARE.

DISEASES THAT DO NOT DISCRIMINATE.

>> Reporter: ANDREW McARDLE IS ONE OF THE LUCKY FEW WHO MANAGED TO GET VACCINATED.

PUT CARD APPRECIATION HANDLED HOW THEY DID THE MESSAGING.

>> AS A MEMBER OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY, WE ARE FAMILIAR WITH ILLNESSES BEING STIGMATIZED AND RECEIVING STIGMA AS A COMMUNITY.

I THINK IT HAS BEEN GREAT EDUCATION AND AWARENESS ACTIVITIES DONE BY THE COUNTY.

AND LET'S FACE IT, JUST LIKE COVID, AND ILLNESS IS A HUMAN ILLNESS.

IT'S A HUMAN REALITY.

WHEN WE HAVE LIMITED ACCESS TO VACCINES, LIKE WE DO NOW, IT'S IMPORTANT TO IDENTIFY WHICH POPULATIONS ARE AT HIGH RISK.

AND PRIORITIZE INTERVENTIONS FOR THOSE COMMUNITIES.

SO I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT WAS HAPPENING HERE.

>> Reporter: IT IS NOT CLEAR WHEN THE COUNTY WILL OFFER MORE VACCINE APPOINTMENTS.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS IN CHARGE OF DISTRIBUTING VACCINES AND REGIONS WITH THE HIGHEST OFFICIAL CASE COUNTS ARE GIVEN THE MOST DOSES.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THIS SATURDAY, NEW RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR THOSE IN A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

988 IS A NEW THREE DIGIT NUMBER THAT PEOPLE CAN CALL OR TEXT, TO CONNECT WITH A NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE.

THAT'S IN ADDITION TO THE NATIONAL 800-NUMBER.

FOLKS IN NEED OF IMMEDIATE ETHICAL ATTENTION ARE URGED TO CALL 911.

BEGINNING A NEW LIFE IN A NEW COUNTRY COMES WITH ITS OWN STRESS.

>>> JACOB AIR INTRODUCES US TO A PROGRAM TO HELP THOSE WHO ARE NEW TO SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: THE DAUGHTERS OF REFUGEES, WHO IS LOOKING FOR HELP IN A SUPPORT SYSTEM IN SAN DIEGO.

SHE FOUND IT IN A GROUP CALLED GIRL TALK.

>> HAVING GIRL TALK IS LIKE NOT GOING TO A THERAPIST BUT THAT IS MY THERAPY.

REMIND THEM UP A SUPPORT GROUP IS DESIGNED TO HELP SOUTH SUDANESE WOMEN.

>> THESE ARE WOMEN WHO I SEE MYSELF IN, SO BASICALLY LIKE A MIRROR EXPERIENCE.

I SEE PEOPLE WHO ARE ME, AND I SEE, AND I AM ABLE TO EMPATHIZE WITH WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH AND SYMPATHIZE AS WELL.

>> Reporter: GIRL TALK IS ORGANIZED BY UNITED WOMEN ARE AFRICA.

SYMPATHY AND EMPATHY ARE JUST PART OF WHAT IS OFFERED.

>> THEY TALK ABOUT HELPING ISSUES AND FOOD INSECURITY AND SO FORTH.

SO I THINK WHAT THIS PROGRAM HAS DONE TO EXPAND WHAT MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS.

>> Reporter: ONE OF SEVERAL AGENCIES IN A COALITION OF EVERY HEALTH INITIATIVE.

IT IS THE FIRST PEER-BASED NONCLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM TO PROVIDE FREE, SPECIALIZED SERVICES FOR IMMIGRANTS, REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS.

THE PROGRAMS COUNSELORS SPEAK 13 DIFFERENT LANGUAGES AND ARE ALL REFUGEES OR IMMIGRANTS THEMSELVES.

>> PEOPLE FEEL COUPLE TO TALK TO SOMEBODY WHO CAN UNDERSTAND THE CULTURE.

WHO SPEAK THEIR LANGUAGES.

>> Reporter: THE CEO OF LICENSE TO FREEDOM, AN ORGANIZATION WHO HAS TAKEN THE LEAD ON PROVIDING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, TO REFUGEES IN SAN DIEGO.

IN THE PAST YEAR ALONE, THE BEHAVIOR HEALTH INITIATIVE HAS HELPED OVER 2000 PEOPLE.

BUT STIGMAS AROUND FINDING HELP ARE STILL VERY PREVALENT IN THE COMMUNITIES THESE GROUPS SERVE.

>> FOR OUR PARENTS OR GENERATIONS, THEY NEVER REALLY WERE TREATED FOR THEIR MENTAL HEALTH WHEN THEY WERE IN REFUGEE CAMPS, THEY WERE ONLY LEARNING ABOUT SURVIVAL AND STOP.

SO YOU MOVE YOU TO THE UNITED STATES AND THEN IT'S A DIFFERENT BATTLE.

YOU KNOW, FIGHTING MENTALLY.

>> Reporter: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SPECIALIST, COUNSELS REFUGEES AND FACILITATES THE GIRL TALK SUPPORT GROUP.

>> I THINK THEY ARE ASSIMILATING EVERY DAY, AND EVEN THOUGH A LOT OF REFUGEES AND UP IN HERE, SINCE THE EARLY 90s, IT IS STILL LIKE AN EVERYDAY STRUGGLE FOR THEM.

>> Reporter: THE INITIATIVE OFFERS ONE-ON-ONE COUNSELING, EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS AND ESSENTIAL RESOURCE NAVIGATION.

>> Reporter: ON A WEEKLY BASIS, IT TELLS ME THAT I CAN MEET WITH ANYONE, I CAN MEET WITH AN OLDER ADULT WHO DON'T REALLY SPEAK MUCH ENGLISH AND I CAN MEET WITH YOUNG WOMEN WHO NEED HELP COUNSELING AND TALK TO THEM ABOUT ANYTHING.

>> Reporter: AND THOSE TALKS ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

>> I LOST A SISTER EARLIER THIS YEAR, SO HAVING THAT BASE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT I AM EXPERIENCING AND HAVING OTHER INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE LOST SIBLINGS OR SOMEBODY CLOSE TO THEM AND HAVING THAT IS A SPACE TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH AND HAVING PEOPLE WITH THAT SHARED EXPERIENCE.

IT MEANS A LOT AND IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.

>> Reporter: THE GIRL TALK MODEL IS STARTING TO GROW AND SOUTH SUDANESE WOMEN ACROSS THE U.S. ARE COMING TOGETHER TO TALK ABOUT THEIR MENTAL HEALTH.

>> WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EXPAND GIRL TALK TO OTHER STATES OUTSIDE OF CALIFORNIA.

THERE IS MOSTLY THE MIDWEST, SO LIKE IN NEBRASKA, IOWA, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA.

WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REACH OUT TO MORE YOUNG WOMEN.

>> Reporter: LICENSE TO FREEDOM, THAT IS JUST WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE FOR THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INITIATIVE.

>> HEALTH ISSUES CAN COME AND TAKE SOME OF THAT, THE LESSONS THAT WE HAVE WORKED FOR AND WHY THIS PROGRAM IS SUCCESSFUL.

IS IT CAME FROM THE PEOPLE HIMSELF.

>> Reporter: THOSE WORRIED ABOUT SEEKING HELP, SHE HAS A MESSAGE.

>> NO MATTER HOW SMALL YOUR ISSUE IS, JUST REACH OUT AND TELL SOMEBODY, THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEBODY WILLING TO GIVE YOU AN OPEN EAR AND WHO HAS AN OPEN HEART TO BE ABLE TO ACCEPT WHAT YOU ARE SAYING AND HELP YOU WITH WHATEVER YOU ARE GOING THROUGH.

>> Reporter: THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INITIATIVE SERVICES ARE FREE, AND PEOPLE LOOK FOR HELP CANNED LOOK FOR HELP.

JACOB AIR, KPBS NEWS.

>>> HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST READ STORIES THIS WEEK AT KPBS.ORG.

>>> SAN DIEGO LAUNCHES PARKS AFTER DARK PROGRAM.

TO BRING EVENTS TO LOCAL NEIGHBORHOODS.

KPBS MADE ADDITION HAS A QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON MONKEYPOX AND SAN DIEGO'S RESPONSE.

>>> AND OUR ONGOING COVERAGE OF THE SURGE IN COVID-19 CASES.

>>> THOUSAND PEOPLE COME TO SAN DIEGO FOR A COLLEGE EDUCATION BUT IT IS A CHALLENGE GIVING THEM AFTER THEY HAVE EARNED THEIR DEGREE.

KPBS REPORTER TAKES A LOOK AT HOW OTHER CITIES COMPETING FOR COLLEGE GRADUATES.

>> Reporter: DEVON CAUCUS JONES SAYS THAT HE IS LIVING HIS DREAM.

HE GRADUATED LAST YEAR AND IS STAYING HERE FOLLOWING IN HIS PARENTS FOOTSTEPS.

>> I THINK IT'S JUST THE WAY THAT I WAS RAISED, BOTH OF MY PARENTS WERE HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS AND THAT KIND OF INFLUENCED MY PATH TO BECOME A HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER.

>> Reporter: NEW DATA SHOWS THAT HE'S NOT AMONG THE MAJORITY OF HIS CLASSMATES.

ONLY 40% OF UC SAN DIEGO STUDENTS STAY IN THE REGION AFTER GRADUATING.

AND FOR EVERY 100 GRADUATES, FROM ALL LOCAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, THE REGION RETAINS JUST 99 OF THEM ACCORDING TO A NEW STUDY.

MEANWHILE, LOS ANGELES AND SAN FRANCISCO ATTRACT MORE COLLEGE GRADUATES THAN THEY PRODUCE.

THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT DISPARITY THAT HAS BOTH SHORT AND LONG- TERM IMPACT ON THE REGION'S ECONOMY AND COMPETITIVENESS.

THE CHIEF DATA AND ANALYTICS OFFICER AT THE SAN DIEGO ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS.

>> BUSINESSES NEED TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND, SO WE NEED TO HAVE A BUSINESS FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT WHERE THESE PEOPLE CAN OPEN THEIR BUSINESS AND EXPAND THEIR OPERATIONS ENTIRE THEIR PEOPLE AND THEN PEOPLE CAN WORK THERE AND LIVE RELATIVELY CLOSELY AT A REASONABLE COST.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS LOCAL LEADERS COULD EXPLORE.

SAYS JONATHAN, THE CO-AUTHOR OF THE STUDY.

>> SO WE HAVE A TARGET THAT IS TOWARDS SCHOOLS WHO DO TEND TO RETAIN MORE STUDENTS WITHIN A LOCAL AREA.

>> Reporter: THAT FUNDING COULD BE USED IN PART TO HELP LOWER INCOME SAN DIEGANS AFFORD LOCAL COLLEGES.

THE SENIOR ECONOMIST AT THE SAN DIEGO WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP.

>> IF WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE AS MUCH FAMILY WEALTH TO GET A COLLEGE EDUCATION I THINK THE LIKELIHOOD OF THEM STAYING IS MUCH HIGHER ESPECIALLY IF WE CAN CONNECT THEM WITH EMPLOYERS AS PART OF THE PROCESS.

>> Reporter: THE NEED FOR COLLEGE GRADUATES IS ESPECIALLY ACUTE IN THE LABOR MARKET.

RIGHT NOW IN SAN DIEGO, THERE ARE TWO UNFILLED JOBS FOR EVERY UNEMPLOYED PERSON.

PLUS EMPLOYERS NEED TO PLAY MORE.

>> IF THEY DIDN'T GET THE 8.2% RAISE, THEY ARE MAKING LESS MONEY THIS YEAR THAN THEY WERE MAKING LAST YEAR.

YES THE THREE OR 4% DOESN'T CUT IT IN TERMS OF HOW DO WE RETAIN MORE WORKERS TODAY.

AND THAT IS WE GOT TO PAY THEM MORE.

>> Reporter: THAT IS BEING FELT BY COLLEGE GRADUATES, WHO IS LIVING REMOTELY BECAUSE IT IS ONE OF THE FEW PLACES IN THE COUNTY HE CAN AFFORD.

MEANWHILE HIS COLLEGE FRIEND MOVED TO THE STOCKTON AREA TO BECOME A LAWYER AND WORK ON A HORSE RANCH.

>> I THINK IT HELPS SAN DIEGO KIND OF BUILD A BASE FOR PROFESSIONALS GOING FROM COLLEGE TO THE REAL WORLD.

>> Reporter: MANY OF THOSE STUDENTS ARE GOING INTO THE REAL WORLD OUTSIDE OF THE SAN DIEGO REGION.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE RETURN OF AN IN PERSON PRIDE FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND ALSO BRINGS AN EFFORT TO MINIMIZE THE EFFECTS OF ILLEGAL DRUG USE.

MG PEREZ EXPLAINS HOW THE PRACTICE OF HARM REDUCTION CAN SAVE LIVES.

>> I LIKE TO KEEP EVERYTHING IN ORDER, SO IT'S EASIER TO GIVE THEM WHAT THEY NEED.

>> Reporter: HEATHER NEWHART HAS 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN SOCIAL WORK AND DRUG TREATMENT STRATEGIES.

SHE OFTEN WORKS ON THE STREETS, SUPPORTING HOMELESS ADDICTS THROUGH THE HARM REDUCTION COALITION OF SAN DIEGO.

THAT MEANS FILLING PAPERBACKS TO GO.

TOILETRIES, AS WELL AS CLEAN NEEDLES TO INJECT ILLEGAL DRUGS.

AND BOXES OF NARCAN, THE NASAL SPRAY THAT REVIVES SOMEONE WHO HAS OVERDOSED ON OPIOIDS.

AND STOPS BREATHING.

>> IF YOU WANT TO COME DOWN HERE I WILL GLADLY GIVE YOU SOME STRIPS.

>> Reporter: THESE DAYS, NEWHART AND HER TEAM TAKE CALLS FROM PEOPLE WHO WANT TO TEST THEIR THREE DRUGS FOR THE POTENT SYNTHETIC OPIOID FENTANYL BEFORE YOU USING THEM.

FENTANYL IS 50 TO 100 TIMES STRONGER THAN MORPHINE OR HEROIN.

>> IT IS SO EASY TO OVERDOSE ON A VERY SMALL AMOUNT.

>> Reporter: SHADOWING NEWHART AND THE COALITION STREET TEAM, LEARNING HOW TO SUPPORT ADDICTS WHO WERE USING.

HE IS THE PROGRAM LEADER OF STEP IN.

A NEW HARM REDUCTION OUTREACH TO THE COUNTIES LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY.

ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE, GAY AND OTHER MINORITIES, ARE MORE THAN TWICE AS LIKELY TO ABUSE DRUGS THAN THEIR STRAIGHT PEERS.

HE IS ONE OF THEM.

>> I CAN TELL YOU MY STORY BUT IT IS ACTUALLY NOT I WASN'T BREATHING FOR PART OF IT.

>> Reporter: THIS SECTION OF BALBOA PARK IS KNOWN AS A CREWS RESPOND WITH DRUG ACTIVITY AFTER DARK SOME NIGHTS.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT HE RELATES TO.

BEFORE GETTING CLEAN AND SOBER FROM HEROIN.

HE TRIED SMOKING FENTANYL FOR THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME.

>> I SAW THE SMOKE COME OUT OF MY MOUTH AND THAT WAS IT.

THAT IS ALL I REMEMBER, THE NEXT MEMORY THAT I HAVE IS I WAS ALL SCRUNCHED UP ON MY FRIENDS COUCH AND HE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY I WAS ALL SCRUNCHED UP AND LIKE WHAT HAPPENED HE SAID I HAD TO HIT YOU WITH A NARCAN.

SO I HAD TO HIT YOU WITH NARCAN TWICE.

>> Reporter: NARCAN HELPED START HIS HEART AND SAVED HIS LIFE.

IT ALSO STARTED HIS ROAD TO RECOVERY.

NOW HE IS WORKING TO GET NARCAN INTO THE HANDS OF OTHER LGBTQ+ USERS BEFORE THEY DIE.

THE STEP IN PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE OTHER LIFE-SAVING RESOURCES, TOO.

A CALL FOR HELP BEGINS WITH A SIMPLE TEXT MESSAGE TO THE STEP IN HOTLINE.

>> WHAT DO YOU DO IN CASE OF AN OVERDOSE, HOW TO RECOGNIZE AN OVERDOSE.

WE WILL HAVE A LOT OF INFORMATION AND EDUCATION AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL GIVE US A WAY TO MAINTAIN THAT DIALOGUE WITH FOLKS THAT ARE SOMETIMES HONESTLY VERY DIFFICULT TO REACH.

>> WE HAVE PROBLEMS OVER ALCOHOL -- >> Reporter: JUST A COUPLE OF BLOCKS FROM THE PRIDE FLAG, ALCOHOLICS HAVE FOUND A SAFE HAVEN AT THE LIVE AND LET LIVE ALANO CLUB IN THE HEART OF HILLCREST.

THE MAJORITY OF MEMBERS ARE LGBTQ+ ALTHOUGH ANYONE IS WELCOME TO ATTEND THE ALMOST 50 MEETINGS A WEEK THAT INCLUDE 12 STEP RECOVERY AND HARM REDUCTION.

ONE OF THE CLUBS BOARD MEMBERS, WHO IS ALSO A DRUG COUNSELOR AND A SOUTH BAY HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM.

>> FENTANYL IS SOMETHING THAT WILL CAUSE AN OVERDOSE WITHIN SECONDS.

AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE NARCAN READY.

IT IS ALMOST IMMEDIATE DEATH.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THAT THE CRISIS IS ALMOST EVERY STREET DRUG IS LACED WITH FENTANYL, WHAT YOU CAN'T SEE, SMELL OR TASTE UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE.

THE ALANO CLUB HAS PARTNERED WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND PROVIDES FREE NARCAN AT THE BAR FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS IT.

NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

WHILE THE ALANO CLUB IS STRUGGLING TO KEEP HIS DOORS OPEN AFTER A LONG COVID SHUTDOWN , BOARD MEMBERS ARE COMMITTED TO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO KEEP PEOPLE ALIVE.

>> THE HARM REDUCTION MEETINGS MEAN THAT WE BELIEVE THAT WE CAN'T JUDGE THAT ABSENCE BASED PROGRAM IS THE ONLY WAY FOR YOU TO GET SOBER.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF STIGMA THAT GOES WITH ADDICTION, YOU ADD IN THE FACT THAT WE ARE WORKING PRIMARILY WITH LGBTQ+ POPULATIONS AND THERE'S EVEN MORE STIGMA ON TOP OF THAT.

>> Reporter: THE OUTPATIENT DIRECTOR OF STEPPING-STONE, THE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED LGBTQ+ RECOVERY PROGRAM WITH A RESIDENTIAL FACILITY.

SHE IS SUPERVISING THE NEW STEP IN PROGRAM, REACHING OUT TO THOSE WHO NEED HELP THE MOST.

MEN AND WOMEN, TRANSGENDER AND NON-BINARY AND ASEXUAL PEOPLE DYING IN THEIR ADDICTION.

>> Reporter: WHEN YOU GIVE UP ON THEM?

>> NEVER.

>> Reporter: THEY DON'T GIVE UP EITHER, HE IS CARING HIS STORY AND TO ADDICTS OUT THERE STILL SUFFERING.

>> ALL OF MY GOOD CHOICES AND BAD CHOICES HAVE LED ME TO THIS MOMENT AND THIS IS WHERE I'M AT RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: A GLIMMER OF HOPE AND PRIDE THAT COULD BE JUST A TEXT MESSAGE AWAY.

MG PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

>>> GARDENING IS THE LATEST TOOL AND KEEPING SOON TO BE RELEASED INMATES OUT OF PRISON.

KPBS NEWS KITTY ALVARADO SHOWS HOW MEN AND WOMEN ARE GROWING SKILLS THAT WILL HELP THEM MAKE THE TRANSITION.

>> TOMATOES ARE GOING BACK THERE, ALL TYPES OF VEGETABLES.

>> Reporter: THERE IS NURSERIES AND PLACES YOU MIGHT NOT EXPECT.

THE MEN'S EAST RE-ENTRY FACILITY .

AND AT THE WOMEN'S LAS COLINAS DETENTION RE-ENTRY PROGRAM.

>> WE ARE GETTING ALL OF THE DEBTS OF ALL THE FLOWERS.

>> Reporter: THE PEOPLE CARING FOR THE VEGETABLES ARE INMATES WITH LESS THAN SIX MONTHS LEFT IN THEIR SENTENCES.

HERE, THEY ARE JUST STUDENTS LEARNING THE ART OF HORTICULTURE , LANDSCAPING AND FARM TO TABLE SUSTAINABLE GROWING.

38-YEAR-OLD AMBER BEEN HAS BECOME QUITE THE EXPERT IN SUCCULENTS.

>> WHAT I AM DOING A, BECAUSE I AM REPRODUCING.

YOU CAN SEE, YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE, THEM GROWING.

AND I WILL CUT THE END OF THE OTHER LEAVE.

AND THEN, I WILL JUST REPOT IT.

>> Reporter: AND 21-YEAR-OLD BREANNA FROM THE COACHELLA VALLEY.

>> THESE ARE VERY SWEET AND THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN TASTING SOMETHING RIGHT OFF THE LINE, OR FROM THE SOIL.

>> Reporter: NOW CONSIDERS HERSELF A FARMER.

>> NEVER WHAT I HAVE THOUGHT THAT I WAS VERY GLAD THAT I AM.

>> Reporter: FRANCISCO IS A SUPERVISING CORRECTIONAL COUNSELOR WITH THE PROGRAM.

>> WE HAVE SOME OAK TREES THAT ARE ALMOST READY TO TAKE 12 COUNTY PARKS.

>> HE SAYS THEY ARE GROWING MORE THAN PLANTS HERE, THEY'RE HELPING PEOPLE GROW.

>> WE ARE INVESTING IN PEOPLE HERE, IT IS REALLY REWARDING KNOWING THAT WE ARE HELPING INDIVIDUALS THAT NEVER GOT A CHANCE.

AND NOW, WE ARE PUTTING THEM ON THE PROPER TOOLS NECESSARY TO KNOCK THEM BACK.

>> Reporter: HE CAN'T BELIEVE THAT HE HAS BECOME SO SKILLED IN SUCH A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME.

THIS PEACEFUL GREENHOUSE IS A SHARP CONTRAST FROM A LIFE HE HAS BEEN HEALING FROM.

>> THIS IS ALL NEW TO ME.

SO, I AM A COMBAT VETERAN, YOU KNOW AND A RECOVERING ADDICT.

I CAME BACK FEELING SUICIDAL AND I FELT LIKE NO ONE UNDERSTOOD.

AND THIS PROGRAM THIS CIVICS PROGRAM HAS BEEN PRETTY MUCH A SAFE HAVEN FOR ME TO REHABILITATE AND WORK ON RECOVERY.

>> Reporter: THIS PROGRAM IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE SAN DIEGO SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT.

WHEN INMATES COMPLETE THE PROGRAM, NOT ONLY WILL THEY HAVE THE KNOW-HOW AND CERTIFICATION, THEY WILL ALSO BE GIVEN CONNECTIONS TO LAND A JOB.

HE SAYS IN AN ODD WAY, IT HAS GIVEN HIM FREEDOM, NOT JUST IN HERE, BUT ON THE OUTSIDE, TOO.

>> WE HAVE GOT TO HAVE OPTIONS, YOU KNOW?

SO MY MIND IS WHEN I STEP OUT THAT DOOR, AT LEAST I KNOW THAT I HAVE THIS AS AN AVENUE OF SEEKING EMPLOYMENT.

>> WHEN YOU HAVE SOMETHING REALLY GOOD, I THINK THAT YOU JUST WANT TO SHARE IT WITH PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: BREANNA SAYS THAT SHE PLANS TO TAKE WHAT SHE HAS LEARNED AND GET BACK TO HER COMMUNITY.

>> WE HAVE A COMMUNITY GARDEN AND DESERT HOT SPRINGS, I DON'T KNOW HOW IT'S DOING RIGHT NOW, BUT I WOULD REALLY LOVE TO DO SOMETHING AND SHOW WHAT I LEARNED TO OTHER PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: HER FAVORITE THING TO GROW -- >> I REALLY LIKE THE FLOWERS BECAUSE FLOWERS ARE SUPER RESILIENT.

THEY GROW AND THEY DIE AND THEY COME RIGHT BACK AND THEY ARE JUST -- I LOVE THEM.

>> Reporter: A PERFECT METAPHOR FOR SECOND CHANCES.

EXACTLY WHAT THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES.

>> WHEN YOU FALL, YOU SHOULD ALWAYS GET BACK UP.

AND I THINK GETTING BACKUP IS ADJUSTABLE I'M GOING TO TRY IT AGAIN.

ALL YOU ARE GOING TO FIND SOMETHING THAT WORKS FOR YOU.

AND I THINK THAT THIS WORKS FOR ME BECAUSE IT MAKES ME MINDFUL AND IT MAKES ME GENUINELY HAPPY.

>> Reporter: OVER AT EAST MESA, PEMBER BEEN TRYING TO GET HIS MOTHER TO GARDEN WITH HER.

>> I GOT STUFF I NEED TO DO -- >> Reporter: BUT NOW HE'S LOOKING FORWARD TO GIVING HER A HUG AND A HAND IN THE BACKYARD.

>> I ONLY HAVE MY MOM LEFT, MY DAD PASSED AWAY LAST YEAR, AND I THINK THIS EXPERIENCE RIGHT HERE, IT WAS MEANT TO BE.

AND SO WHEN I GET RELEASED, I WILL BE ABLE TO SPEND MORE QUALITY TIME AND YOU KNOW MAYBE I CAN TEACH HER A FEW THINGS.

OR SHE CAN TEACH ME A FEW THINGS.

>> Reporter: KITTY ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> FINALLY A TRIP TO THE BIRCH AQUARIUM, ALEXANDER NGUYEN VISITED A NEW EXHIBIT OF PENGUINS WITH A SPECIAL LOOK ALL OF THEIR OWN.

>> Reporter: MEET AND PURPLE, MAGIC AND SOME OF THE RESIDENT PENGUINS AT THE NEW EXHIBIT OPENING AT THE BIRCH AQUARIUM.

IT MEANS TINY BLUE IN SPANISH, THE NAME WAS CHOSEN THROUGH AN ONLINE CONTEST AND IS THE PERFECT NAME FOR THIS LITTLE GUY BECAUSE -- >> THERE PLUMAGE HAS A NAVY COLOR THAT REALLY SHINES IN THE SUN AND HAS DIFFERENT HUES OF AQUA OR CORNFLOWER BLUE.

AND IT'S PRETTY UNIQUE TO THE SPECIES.

>> Reporter: KAYLA STREET IS A PENGUIN EXPERT.

THIS IS THE ONLY ONE THAT IS BLUE.

THE EXHIBIT IS THE FIRST BIRD EXHIBIT AND AQUARIUM BUT SHE HAS BEEN RESEARCHING PENGUINS FOR DECADES.

THE ACCLAIM IS AFFILIATED WITH THE INSTITUTION OF OCEANOGRAPHY.

THESE BEINGS ARE THE SMALLEST IN THE WORLD, AND THIS IS THE ONLY PLACE YOU CAN SEE THEM ON THE WEST COAST.

REL WRITER, GOT A SNEAK PEEK AT THE PENGUIN, WHEN SHE VISITED THE PENGUIN WITH HER PARENTS AND BROTHER, SHE THINKS THAT THEY ARE CUTE, BUT WORRIES ABOUT THEIR SIZE, SHE IS RIGHT, THEY ARE SMALL.

JUST EXACTLY HOW SMALL?

ABOUT A FOOT TALL, OR THE SIZE OF A CALIFORNIA BURRITO.

THE EXHIBIT OPENS WEDNESDAY, JUST FOLLOW THE LITTLE BLUE PENGUIN FOOTPRINTS.

THE AQUARIUM IS OPEN FOR EXTENDED HOURS DURING THE SUMMER.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AND WE DO WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THE BIRCH AQUARIUM IS A SUPPORTER OF KPBS.

WE HOPE THAT YOU ENJOYED THIS LOOK AT KPBS THIS WEEK I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.