ALISE: Columbia University SSDP Chapter

Want to learn how to save a life? Check out Washington Heights CORNER Project's new video-- "How to Save a Life Using Naloxone!"

If you are part of the Columbia community and want naloxone, please Facebook message us or text our service number to get your free kit. We are also proud to say that we offer free overdose response trainings through our friends at WHCP!

How to Save a Life Using Naloxone Want to learn how to save a life? CON Coordinator Lynn gives the run-down on how to respond to an opioid overdose using naloxone. Naloxone is an opioid rever...

Have you heard the stories about law enforcement overdosing after touching fentanyl?

Touching Fentanyl Is Not Dangerous. Will This Video Finally Prove That? The persistent myth prevents people from getting the help they need.

Happy International Harm Reduction Day! You didn't think we forgot, did you? ❤

This day serves as an opportunity to promote evidence-based drug policies that are rooted in public health and human rights (vs. the oppressive systems existing at every institutional level-- whether it be the federal government or our very own university-- that not only criminalizes and stigmatizes people, but drastically increases the harms related to illicit drug use). We hope that one day, Columbia will recognize that we desperately need to change how we approach the issue of drug use on campus.

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This year's theme is "Harm Reduction Heroes," and so we would like to highlight an academic institution that strives to support their students: Reed College.
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Reed's Vice President for Student Services, Mike Brody, once defined harm reduction as, "the idea that you shouldn't have to push abstinence as the only way to reduce harm, that some students are going to use, and that our goal is to reduce the harms associated with that use." Originally starting out at Reed as a therapist, Brody understands that "illicit substances will always be present on campus, which means that it is in the best interest of the community to make an effort to give students resources to keep themselves and each other safe."
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Instead of the harmful and ineffective "zero tolerance" approach implemented at many institutions-- including Columbia--, Reed has established multiple support services through their Community Wellness Programs, such as peer-driven health promotion programming and roaming student outreach that increases safety on campus through offering services on weekend nights like student es**rt and free snacks and water. Through the efforts of Reed's SSDP chapter, a testing kit is also available on campus so that students can check their drugs for potentially dangerous adulterants. Reed has received extensive attention for their dedication to student health and well-being, including an outstanding rating in an audit by a blue-ribbon panel of nationally recognized experts. Columbia should definitely take note!
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For more information on Reed's approach to drug use on campus, please visit: https://www.reed.edu/academic/gbook/comm_pol/drug_approach.html

To read Brody's full interview, please visit: http://www.reedthegrail.com/newsandfeatures/2015/3/24/struggling-to-stay-addiction-on-campus

Reed College | Guidebook to Reed | Reed's holistic approach to use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) The guidebook is compiled by the office of the dean of faculty. The policies and procedures described in the guidebook are published as fully accurate to the best of the college's knowledge, but are subject to change without notice.

Fantastic news!! Years of research published worldwide have proven that establishing a space for supervised drug consumption will prevent overdose and significantly improve health outcomes for People Who Use Drugs (while also easing the burden on ambulance services and reducing drug-related litter and crime in the community!).

“The plan calls for four sites to open after a 6-to-12-month period of outreach to the communities where they will be located. They would operate as pilot programs for a year.

At the sites, which would be called Overdose Prevention Centers, trained staff would be available to administer medications, such as naloxone, to counteract drug overdoses.”

De Blasio Moves to Bring Safe Injection Sites to New York City Though no injection sites exist yet in the United States, the endorsement of the strategy by New York may give the movement behind it special impetus.

As we are gearing up for this year's Bacchanal, please remember to TEST BEFORE YOU INGEST!

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It is an unfortunate fact that fentanyl and its analogues have been found in a variety of powders, fake pills, crystals/rocks, and even blotter paper! Fentanyl is a very strong opioid that may cause overdose if unknowingly consumed, especially if it's added to a non-opioid like M**A, L*D, co***ne, or Xanax. The only way to know for certain that a street-bought drug does not have fentanyl is by testing it beforehand.

If you are concerned that you or someone you know may unintentionally consume fentanyl, please text our service number (347- 389-0176) or shoot us a message on Facebook to be connected to free safer partying supplies, including test strips that check for the presence of fentanyl (and at least 9 analogues) and naloxone (the opioid OD reversal antidote).

CU ALISE will also be working with a local harm reduction organization to provide essential harm reduction education and resources on-site this Saturday! Stay tuned for details!

ATTN: ALERT ISSUED FOR QUEBEC & GENERAL PUBLIC

Authorities in Quebec, Canada have seized blotter that contains carfentanil.

Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid with approximately 100 times the potency by weight of fentanyl. While we are unaware of what the substance was initially sold as on the market, this marks the third time we've become aware of carfentanil that has been detected on blotter paper. This is particularly concerning because this sample was on blotter containing the famous ‘Albert Hofmann Bicycle Ride' print, which has been used to distribute L*D for decades.

Remember, if you consume any substances at all, please test them with both reagent testing, and fentanyl test strips (which can also detect carfentanil).