Hundreds of people are expected to gather at Griffith Park in November for the seventh annual Shatterproof Walk to End Addiction Los Angeles, organizers announced Wednesday.
The event on Nov. 7 will bring together people in recovery, families, advocates and health care representatives to remember people who have died from substance use, celebrate recovery and raise money for efforts aimed at improving addiction treatment and reducing stigma, according to Shatterproof.
The walk will be held at Griffith Park, 4669 Crystal Springs Drive.
Organizers said the event will include a Community Resource Village featuring treatment, recovery and family-support resources, along with remembrance activities and personal stories from people affected by substance use disorder.
“Progress is possible, but too many families are still struggling to find the care and support they need,” Shatterproof CEO Pam Jenkins said in a statement. “The Walk brings communities together to honor those we’ve lost, celebrate recovery, and remind every person affected by addiction that they are not alone. Together, we can build a future where everyone has access to quality, evidence-based care.”
According to statistics cited by the organization, Los Angeles County recorded 1,791 drug overdose deaths in 2024, a 21% decrease from the previous year. There were 3,819 non-fatal drug overdose hospitalizations that year, down 9% from 2023.
Fentanyl was involved in 91% of opioid-related overdose deaths and 48% of non-fatal opioid-related overdose hospitalizations in the county, according to the organization.
Shatterproof also cited data indicating roughly one in six people in California and Los Angeles County had a substance use disorder within the previous year, while about eight in 10 people with such a disorder did not receive needed care.
Men in Los Angeles County had an overdose death rate about 3.5 times higher than women, while American Indian and Alaska Native residents had the highest overdose death rate among racial and ethnic groups, according to statistics cited by Shatterproof. Adults ages 35 to 44 had the highest overdose death rates among age groups.
The nonprofit said funds raised through the walk will support efforts to improve addiction treatment, reduce stigma, advocate for public policy changes and provide resources to families.
The Los Angeles walk is one of six such events being held around the country as part of Shatterproof’s efforts addressing substance use disorder.
The Griffith Park route will be accessible and dog-friendly, according to organizers.