There is a silent battle lying within Villanova University’s bustling campus life: a battle against substance misuse.
While this is a serious issue, Villanova is not ignoring it. Instead, it is growing harm reduction education initiatives aimed at empowering students and fostering a safer community both locally and on campus. Villanova has enlisted the help of local resources on campus, such as Savage Sisters Recovery, to assist in this growing effort.
Savage Sisters Recovery are a strong force in the fight against substance abuse and mental health stigma. Its advocacy knows no bounds, from street-level outreach to navigating systems of power, and it tirelessly works to dismantle barriers and end stigma through legislation, media and community engagement. Its founder, Sarah Laurel, was awarded with a Congressional Award for her dedication to directly serving communities and challenging societal norms.
Destinie Campanella, Savage Sisters board member, stood at the forefront of Villanova’s recent Overdose Reversal Training.
“A person doesn’t have to be a problematic drug user to be at risk for an overdose,” Campanella said, shedding light on the reality that substance misuse can affect anyone, regardless of one’s background.
She held an information session about drug-use trends and harm reduction and then provided step-by-step instructions for overdose reversal with complementary Narcan. Harm reduction is a practice that minimizes negative health impacts and saves lives of people that use drugs. One popular harm reduction technique is the use of fentanyl testing strips, and Campanella is calling for their wider availability on campuses to empower students in making safe decisions.
“Fentanyl testing strips are a tool to make an informed choice,” Campanella said. “I think it is important that students are aware that fentanyl is often combined or contaminated with other drug types and forms, such as pills and cocaine.”
Villanova’s recent commitment to harm reduction education extends beyond individual efforts, as it is a campus-wide endeavor. Stacy Andes, Chair of the Health & Well-Being Committee, advocates for the University’s dedication to holistic wellness through initiatives like the Sustainability Leadership Council.
“Harm reduction is important on any college campus – a high-risk environment where a lot of people experiment with alcohol or other substances for the first time,” Sean Dinan, Substance Use Counselor at the University Counseling Center, said. “Substance Use Disorder affects people from all walks of life. We are losing over 100,000 people per year in the United States alone due to the overdose epidemic.”
By integrating harm reduction education into broader sustainability efforts, Villanova is prioritizing the health and safety of its students.
“I think that it could be important to start carrying Narcan around, as eventually we will leave Villanova’s bubble where drug misuse could be more prominent,” senior Alex Tessendorf said.
Other students agreed with this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of these efforts and education on drug abuse.
“I sometimes wonder, and partially fear, how ignorance can prevent our campus from actually caring about or meaningfully contributing to the cause,” senior Katherine Melbert said.
Sophomore Ellie Buchanan agreed, saying she always carries Narcan in her backpack and encourages the University to shed more light on these kinds of practices.
“I have never needed it, but I carry it in case,” Buchanan said. “I think the University, like many others, still falls short on stressing the importance that everyone should be educated on this, not just those who have a more direct link to it.”
Villanova is not immune to this issue, as many students live in areas that are disproportionately affected by drug use and have loved ones that may experience substance misuse. Harm reduction education is blossoming at Villanova, with efforts focusing on access to preventative measures such as Narcan and testing strips, and there is still much more to be done with the help of students.
To learn more about the Savage Sisters, visit its website https://savagesisters.org/ .
If one is struggling with substance use or wants to learn more, visit the Villanova University Counseling Center and Office of Health Promotion.
