Team awareness combatting overdose

Impact: We founded the 501(c)3 non-profit Team Awareness Combatting Overdose (TACO for short) to address epidemic overdose deaths in the USC community. TACO is focused on harm reduction and has distributed over 20,000 free fentanyl test strips to date and received over 200 positive results via our anonymous QR code reporting system. As our test strips are primarily used in a group setting, TACO has prevented many more accidental overdoses and deaths. TACO has expanded to more than 16 nationwide campuses and is a regular presence at concerts and events.

Role: I initially served as TACO’s co-founder and COO. After growing our team to 50+ members and multiple schools, I led the first successful transition to the next generation of leadership and took a position on TACO’s board. TACO continues to grow and combat the overdose epidemic.

The TACO Story: With the initial thesis that students are generally not unintelligent, but uneducated, we first focused on unlocking the knowledge locked in abstrusely-written scientific literature. Our initial team of 5 TACO founders poured over neuroscientific papers, distilled the information into plain english, and shared this information with students, empowering personal decision making surrounding drug use. Moving unbiased information on drugs from long text behind academic paywalls to digestible social media content has fundamentally lowered barriers to access, making this lifesaving information part of the personal decision making process. TACO continues to publish new research summaries bi-weekly—see below or our Instagram feed for examples.

With sufficient traction, we began to use our platform to distribute fentanyl test strips—while education is important no amount of education can differentiate between a laced and fentanyl free substance, and accidental fentanyl overdose is the #1 leading cause of death for Americans 18-45 year old. By initially partnering with Duffl, and subsequently other delivery apps, TACO has been able to offer test strips delivered for 1 cent across its campuses, day or night.

We have worked to drive harm reduction awareness and share educational information via presentations, where I have spoken to auditorium crowds of of 500+ and been featured on NBC National News.

What even is that⁉️ Roofies❗️ • 🛌💊Flunitrazepam is the generic name for Rohypnol, aka “Roofies.” Roofies are in the benzodiazepine class of drugs, meaning they’re depressants that create feelings of relaxation. Roofies are al
WHY AM I HUNGOVER❓ALCOHOL❗️ • 🍾😣After a night of drinking, ever woken up with a headache, feeling fatigued and nauseous? With poor concentration, sensitivity to light or noise, and an overall poor sense of wellbeing? These are common symptoms
How Can I Stop an Overdose⁉️ Meth Test Strips‼️ • 💀Methamphetamine (Meth) is scored among the most harmful drugs available, similar to heroin and crack cocaine in harm to user rankings. While not the case for many drugs, there is conclusive evi
What even is that ❓ Meth ‼️ • 🔮🏎 Methamphetamine - also known as meth, crystal, speed, or ice - is a synthetic stimulant manufactured in a lab 🔬 • 💊💉 Meth is most commonly smoked in a pipe but can also be snorted in powder form or swal
DO DRUGS IMPACT SLEEP❓💤PART 3 - Adderall, Ambien, Vyvanse • 😵‍💫Amphetamines, like Adderall, are commonly used to treat ADHD. Since they are stimulants that help maintain alertness, they can also cause sleep disturbances. Their purpose is
Should I let them mix❓Alcohol + caffeine⁉️ Some key things to consider before combining Alcohol with Caffeine: • 🥂🍸Alcohol is a depressant that increases the release of the GABA neurotransmitter leading to feelings of sedation and relaxation.
What even is that❓Ambien‼️ • 😊💊Ambien, also known as Zolpidem, is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic (sleep aid) that depresses central nervous system activity📉🧠 • 💤🛏Ambien is used medically as a sleep aid and is one of the most commonly p
DO DRUGS IMPACT SLEEP❓💤PART 2 • 😄🔆MDMA, also known as Ecstacy or Molly, is a stimulant that increases the release of excitatory Dopamine, Serotonin, and Norepinephrine! These chemicals have a stimulant effect, making it very difficult to slee
TACO IS GRADUATING‼️ • 🏅Trojan Awareness Combatting Overdose (TACO), Inc. is excited to announce that we are officially recognized as a 501(c)3 Non-Profit organization! All donations are now tax deductible❗️☑️ • 🎓TACO is also proud to ann
What even is Kratom⁉️ • 🍃🪴Kratom is an herbal supplement with opioid properties. For this reason, it has gained popularity in the US as a method of easing symptoms of withdrawal from prescription opioid drugs or heroin💊 • 🌳🌏 Kratom lea
DO DRUGS IMPACT SLEEP❓💤 • 🌛🌿Low doses of Cannabis in infrequent users makes it easier to fall asleep quicker, but decreases the user’s time in REM sleep. REM is when the brain recharges itself and when dreams occur. Since this process i
Does Alcohol Shorten Lifespan❓ • 🍺🧠Alcohol works by depressing nervous system function. Effects of drinking can range from little effect in to severely reduced lifespan - depending on how much and how often Alcohol is consumed🤔 • 👍🍷In
What even is that❓Poppers‼️ • 🎉😀Alkyl nitrite or Butyl Nitrite, commonly known as Poppers, Snappers, or Rush, is a recreational drug that is typically inhaled from a small bottle to produce euphoric and sexually arousing effects. Since Poppers
DO DRUGS HAVE AN EXPIRATION DATE ❓ • 💪🏼💊A drug’s potency, or strength, may degrade over a period of time📉 • 🧑🏻‍⚕️📆Prescription medications often remain potent for years after they expire. Researchers tested a variety of pre
SHOULD I LET THEM MIX❓Alcohol + MDMA⁉️ Some key things to consider before combining Alcohol with MDMA use: • 🍺🍷Alcohol is a commonly used depressant which can be fatal at high doses. Consuming alcohol impairs motor skills and memory formation.
What even is that❓DMT‼️ • 🔮🌈N-Dimethyltryptamine, also known as DMT is usually derived from the ~Psychotria viridis~ bush. It’s been used in Ayahuasca tea for religious ceremonies in South American cultures for thousands of years🌳 &bull
DOES MDMA USE SHORTEN LIFESPAN❓ • 💊🧠MDMA, aka Ecstasy or Molly, is an amphetamine that works by drastically increasing serotonin’s  concentration in the brain. As a result, low dose users may experience impairments in memory,
SHOULD I LET THEM MIX❓Ethanol + Cannabis⁉️ Some key things to consider before combining alcohol with marijuana consumption: • 🍺🍷Alcohol is a commonly used depressant that can be fatal at high doses! Consuming alcohol impairs motor skills and m
⭐️TACO BINGO WINNERS + RESULTS⭐️ • 💛THANK YOU to everyone who reposted and donated to support TACO’s first fundraiser!!! • ❤️Together we raised a total of $1,618 to prevent overdose deaths by providing free access to Fentanyl Test St
How Can I Stop an Overdose⁉️ Fentanyl Test Strips‼️ • 💀🇺🇸In the United States, the CDC names Fentanyl as the deadliest drug in America, associated with the most deaths in the adult population. Compared to strong opioids, such as oxycodone or