In Boston, the number of opioid overdose deaths increased by 2.5% from 2021 to 2022 as surveyed by the Boston Department of Public Health. A new student-led organization called the Simmons Harm Reduction Coalition (SHaRC) is working to build community support infrastructure by making Narcan accessible to students on campus and breaking the stigma of addiction and harm reduction.
Two of SHaRC’s founders, Anna Saunders and Michelle Bozzi, both Class of 2024, were first inspired to bring harm reduction to campus two years ago at the annual Simmons University Muddy Water Cleanup.
Saunders, Bozzi, and Milena Chaufan, Class of 2024 student and President of Simmons Sunrise, shared that during the Muddy Water Cleanup, across the street from Academic Campus, they found multiple needles and syringes.
After the clean-up, the volunteers came together to discuss the community service, Saunders told the Voice. During this discussion, Saunders and Bozzi realized how little the people at the clean-up knew about the opioid overdose crisis.
Beth Grampetro, Associate Dean and Chief Wellness Officer, shared that there is Narcan currently available to students in the Health Center during their open hours from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Grampetro stated, “since the Health Center is not open 24/7 and is not an emergency facility, it is important for the community to have access to Narcan elsewhere on campus.”
A survey by NPR was brought up by Saunders, showing that 41% of Americans did not know what Narcan was. With this in mind, SHaRC’s passion for educating the community grew.
“Narcan, also known as naloxone, blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and can return breathing in a person who has overdosed on opioids,” Grampetro shared.
The Simmons University Resilience, Efficacy, and Empowerment through Foundational Support Center (REEF) has been a big supporter of SHaRC’s opioid-focused harm reduction initiative as shared by Saunders and Bozzi. The REEF Center, located in A-075, also provides harm reduction resources for students struggling with food insecurity, sexual health, and housing.
“It’s easy to feel really hopeless and powerless when it comes to navigating addiction,” REEF Center Director Matoaka Kipp stated.
As a part of the SHaRC initiative, four boxes in total stocked with a variety of harm-reduction materials have been distributed between Academic and Residential Campuses. The boxes have been set up as of November 10 in Lefavour Hall, the Main College Building, Bartol Hall, and Simmons Hall. Narcan has also become available in the REEF Center.
Kipp affirmed, “harm reduction is everyone’s job. We are all responsible for making sure everyone is as safe as possible.”
To continue following the project, SHaRC can be found on Instagram, @simmons.harm.reduction
Addiction and Mental Health Resources:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
Never Use Alone: https://neverusealone.com/
Massachusetts Good Samaritan Laws: https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXV/Chapter94c/Section34a
SHaRC Resources Link Tree:
https://linktr.ee/simmonshrc?utm_source=linktree_profile_share
