store 
Garden 
narcat world 
Today, End Overdose will launch our collaborative merch collection with DropSlowLee, a brand by Cody Lee. Learn more about Cody and why he chose to work with End Overdose below. Check out the collaboration here.
End Overdose: Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Cody Lee: I was born in 1994 and raised in the rural landscapes of Upstate New York. My artistic inspiration is deeply rooted in the rich tapestry of my upbringing, marked by a blend of family turmoil and the comforting escape of nature. Now, five years into my journey of sobriety, I reside and work in New York City with my fiancée, our cat Kiki, and our French bulldog, Large Marge.
EO: Do you have a background in art or design, or is it a personal passion?
CL: I studied at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art from 2012 to 2016, where I earned a BFA and was honored with The Richard Lewis Bloch Memor ial Prize for Excellence in the Arts. My artistic practice explores themes of life and death, societal norms and fears, and the intricate dynamics between leaders and followers, all in pursuit of revealing the truth about finding inner peace in a chaotic world. In addition to my visual art, I completed an apprenticeship with David Sena, the owner of Sena Tattoo in New York City, which has enriched my artistic knowledge. I currently create silk-screened works on paper and garments from my studio in Brooklyn, and I am also tattooing at Eight of SwordsTattoo in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
EO: What inspired you to work with End Overdose?
CL: I am thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with End Overdose on a project that highlights the critical importance of drug overdose education. I would also like to give a special thanks to Sophie Kennedy, my fiancé's sister and the CU Boulder Chapter President, for making this project possible.
EO: Where can people see more of your work or connect with you?
CL: You can view my work on my website: www.dropslowlee.com, and on Instagram: @dropslowlee. Additionally, I have a curated gallery of my garment pieces under the clothing line name DEADEND17, which you can find on Instagram @deadend17. The name reflects my childhood home, which was number 17 located on a dead-end street. It serves as a metaphor for change and transition, highlighting the idea that situations that appear to be dead ends can often reveal themselves as new beginnings.
EO: What was the inspiration behind this design?
This design is inspired by the concept that everything can be seen from multiple perspectives, with many individuals often dwelling on the darker aspects of those views. Concealing ourselves behind the fear of judgment, criticism, and vulnerability, we often prevent the necessary space for change to take place.
EO: Can you describe the meaning or symbolism behind the elements in the design?
CL: The bat’s imagery embodies death and rebirth, serving as a guide through challenging transitions that can often feel daunting. It signifies the conclusion of one phase and the dawn of another. Despite being largely misunderstood, the bat carries rich symbolic meanings that are frequently misinterpreted as fear-based. In contrast, the barbed wire represents protection—a symbol of power, strength, and defiance against outside pressures and influences. The arrangement of the sad and happy faces illustrates the emotional journey experienced when one chapter closes and another begins anew.
EO: What message or feeling do you hope people take away from wearing this shirt?
CL: The overarching message I hope people take away from wearing this shirt is that any negative stigma associated with drug use undermines the fundamental belief that no one deserves to die. It aims to empower individuals to join a growing community that is transforming the conversation around drug use, moving it from a dark and unspoken past into a future brightened by resources, education, and the commitment of people working toward a better world.
Thank you, Cody, for all your work on this collaboration! We are so excited to get it out into people's hands.