End Overdose's chapter program is vital to our success in equipping young people with lifesaving education and resources. Rather than proselytizing from a soapbox to Gen-Z and Millennial communities, we trust young people in cities and on college campuses to spread the word through a true peer-to-peer model. With 50 chapters nationwide, members and volunteers are committing hours upon hours to End Overdose's cause, so we want to highlight a chapter every week.
Thus, our inaugural chapter of the week is none other than CU Boulder! Founded by student Sophie Kennedy, the Colorado chapter is one of our most vibrant success stories. They've built a culture on campus that is now collectively aware and equipped thanks to the highly dedicated chapter members. Whether they're fundraising via a headline OMNOM show or tabling at Red Rocks, their excitement to save lives is palpable.
We spoke with Sophie about the early days of the CU Boulder chapter and what she envisions for its future after she graduates!
End Overdose: What sparked your interest in overdose prevention/response and End Overdose in particular?
Sophie Kennedy: Fentanyl overdose really fascinates and scares me because it kills so indiscriminately. As someone in recovery, I have known just as many people who intentionally use fentanyl who have overdosed as people who rarely use drugs and overdosed from accidental fentanyl poisoning. I saw the need for resources at CU and started dreaming up a way to supply these materials peer to peer, no strings attached and free of judgement. I was beginning to get stressed about how I was going to tackle all of this when an End Overdose ad popped up on my instagram feed! I reached out to start a chapter not knowing college chapters already existed. Every step of the way I fell more in love with the messaging and the people.
EO: How has it been building the chapter from the ground up on campus?
Building the chapter from the ground up was really difficult. As one of the first chapters outside of not only the UC system but California, there was a huge learning curve. For a year, there were only about 5 of us doing everything. Our first meeting was around my childhood best friend’s kitchen table and the kits we packed were placed in empty Busch boxes and door dash bags which we stored under my VP’s bed. Two years later, we work out of an office on campus, where as I write, my fundraising director is packing duffel bags (huge upgrade) full of naloxone and tabling materials for a multi day, student organized music festival in Moab. Although we are operating at a different scale, the work and the messaging remains the same.
EO: Can you describe your experience as chapter president for CU Boulder?
SK: As president I fill the role of liaison between the school, headquarters and the state. It’s really hard to watch the state cut off nonprofit naloxone supply and the school cut our funding. Sometimes, I wish I could be planning fundraising events or making graphics, but I know that underneath it all, we need the supplies, the infrastructure and the organization to do the work and I am so privileged to be trusted with that. The whole experience has been so rewarding and I am so amazed at the amazing team I have somehow attracted and the things they have accomplished!
EO: Can you describe the process of developing relationships with other students?
SK: Gaining the trust of the student body has been so so fun! I love seeing people relax through a long form training as they realize we are not DARE, we are students with real experience and a sense of humor. The fraternities at CU are not affiliated with the school and notoriously difficult to ‘get in with.’ To at risk populations like these, we have access that the school does not. To me, this really shows the importance of the peer to peer aspect of our work. It’s always the highlight of my day when I am called ‘Narcan Girl’ by strangers.
EO: You’ve put on some amazing events like the OMNOM show. What’re the major highlights from your chapter’s work to date, whether it’s in night life or the general community?
SK: Fundraising events are always a huge feat. April of this year, we hosted a fundraiser called Flatiron Fest where OMNOM played! I have to give all the credit to my fundraising director, Gracie Stockwell, who worked 20+ hours a week the month leading up to the event. I think the stress took years off my life to be honest, but I knew it was a success seeing OMNOM playing his set in an End Overdose hoodie! All of that said, I think the highlight of the work though is hearing testimonies that people used the naloxone we supplied them for a reversal. For the first time ever, overdose deaths decreased Colorado and I can’t help but feel like our trainings are part of the reason why.
EO: What do you envision for the future of the Boulder chapter?
SK: I think each of our exec members has their own grand goals for their position… I would love to see the chapter be recognized from the school or a media outlet for our efforts; my team does so much and my thanks doesn’t feel like enough. I would love if we had enough supplies for every person we train to get naloxone and strips. More than anything, I want to see our chapter stay strong after our original current exec board graduates in the Spring! Oh, and Coach Prime filming a reel on how to administer naloxone would be nice.