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
Filter | May 24th, 2022
Ohio Bills Seek to Decriminalize Fentanyl Test Strips
Besides preventing arrests and therefore encouraging use of fentanyl test strips, the bills would also effectively allow federal funds to be spent on their distribution in Ohio.
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WOSU - Columbus | April 18th, 2022
OSU students create app to report ‘bad batches’, cut down on overdose deaths
In the fall of 2020, a group led by Ohio State students launched an app designed to cut down on overdose deaths in central Ohio. The app alerts users to "bad batches" of drugs, laced with deadly substances such as fentanyl.
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The Lantern | January 19th, 2021
Ohio State Students Launch App To Reduce Opioid Overdoses
Nine Ohio State students have created an app to help Franklin County combat the opioid epidemic.
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.