ABOUT US
Students, grassroots leaders, and healthcare professionals united for change.
Who we are
The SOAR Initiative was founded in 2019 by a small group of students at The Ohio State University passionate about changing the public health landscape for people who use drugs. Over the past three years, our team has grown to include 13 part-time employees, including outreach workers, administrative staff, technology specialists and more. Our inclusive, welcoming team strives to represent the communities we serve by hiring people with lived experience and staff with diverse backgrounds.
In the news
Fox 19 Cincinnati | February 20th, 2023
‘Zombie drug’ deadlier than fentanyl infiltrates Tri-State
The drug xylazine killed one overdose victim in Cheviot earlier this month, according to the SOAR initiative.
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CityBeat | February 15th, 2023
Deadly Batches of “Flesh-Eating” Drugs Reported in Downtown Cincinnati
Advocates tell CityBeat that Narcan can't save users from overdosing on xylazine, or "tranq-dope."
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WCPO - Cincinnati | February 21st, 2022
App created by Ohio State students warns of counterfeit drugs, bad batches to combat overdose epidemic
One smartphone app developed by college students to give drug users a way of reporting counterfeit drugs without getting police involved has support from addiction recovery professionals in Cincinnati.
Read MoreWhat We Stand For
Mission: Build up powerful, healthy communities of people who use drugs by implementing innovative harm reduction strategies that advance connection through technology and advocating for policies that promote a safe supply.
Vision: End the harmful, racist, and discriminatory War on Drugs and build a world where all people who use drugs can achieve health, safety, happiness, and bodily autonomy.