A Booth that could save lives

By Grace Payton

A booth presented by the Awareness and Wellness Committee sparked a crucial conversation in the Student Center at 1-4 p.m. on Aug. 18. Inspired by Overdose Awareness Week in Nebraska, Chadron State Wellness took the lead by spreading awareness about overdoses, sharing demonstrations about how to use Narcan, found in each campus building, and handing out a lot of inspiring swag.

The Awareness and Wellness committee chose to highlight this week because our college campus, like others across America, has a significant drug use population. “We want students to say something or do something if they see an overdose happening,” says Chelsea Turner, the booth’s wellness representative. Turner’s goal is to spread the message of the Overdose Awareness Nebraska pledge, which supports the decrease of stigmatizing language around overdoses and recovery. Instead, she’d like to see the switch to supportive and responsible language. Britt Helmbrecht, Dean of Professional Studies and Applied Sciences and Wellness Officer, made an example of this language by sharing the message: “We are happy you’re here and that we are happy that you are you, and we want to support that.”

Jonathan Prouty, a Junior at CSC, took away another important message from this booth. “I learned the different signs and symptoms of overdoses because not every overdose is the same.” Prouty hopes to see more awareness booths, including those about suicide prevention. Helmbrecht confirmed that this was the first of many booths, and they are looking forward to making an impact on campus.

For more information about overdose awareness or to sign the pledge, visit: stopoverdosenebraska.org.