SSDP Partners with Overdrive Defense To Make Drug Checking Cool
Over 100,000 people died from overdose in the United States last year. Many of these overdoses were caused by Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine that has exacerbated the overdose epidemic caused by the War on Drugs.
These deaths were preventable—the criminalization and stigmatization of drugs and drug users are to blame for every one of the lives lost.
Harm reduction—practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use—saves lives. Accurate information about drugs and drug use, the removal of punitive policies that discourage people from getting help, and access to lifesaving tools like naloxone (also known by the brand name Narcan) and drug checking kits are ways to prevent overdose deaths.
SSDP is committed to expanding access to harm reduction in communities and on campuses across the country.
Our chapters led 53 naloxone, fentanyl testing strips, and/or overdose reversals trainings last semester alone, and our newly launched Drug Education Committee is hard at work modernizing Just Say Know (our evidence-based, peer drug education program), working to circumvent and amend restrictive federal policies to promote drug safety initiatives on college campuses by expanding the reach of our Listen To Young People report, and creating a streamlined harm reduction training designed to improve the effective distribution and use of naloxone and fentanyl test strips.
As part of that latest effort, SSDP is proud to announce our partnership with Overdrive Defense, as a member of their inaugural Advisory Council.
Overdrive is a first-of-its-kind lifestyle brand committed to destigmatizing harm reduction and drug safety, and lowering the frequency of drug poisonings and deaths, with easy-to-use and attractively packaged Fentanyl Test Kits.
In addition to the 10,000 fentanyl test strip kits they are providing SSDP, Overdrive will donate 1% of net revenue to partner organizations (including SSDP) working on harm reduction efforts on the ground in local communities.
Read more about Overdrive’s launch in Vogue, Highsnobiety, Fast Company, MM+M, and People, Brands, and Things or at overdrivedefense.com.
