[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":813},["ShallowReactive",2],{"global-page-header":3,"global-page-donate":12,"blog-article-hvdes-announces-biohazard-kandi-lab":13,"blog-related-hvdes-announces-biohazard-kandi-lab":287},{"_createdAt":4,"_id":5,"_rev":6,"_type":7,"_updatedAt":8,"name":9,"nav_donate_link":10,"nav_fundraise_link":11},"2024-09-30T01:16:08Z","d54a3beb-5bc7-4a08-9614-a7fed5276091","a0rhxOMq2E1nfR5ge0KLAh","pages","2025-02-28T22:34:20Z","GLOBAL","https:\u002F\u002Fdonate.endoverdose.net\u002Fgive\u002F546264\u002F#!\u002Fdonation\u002Fcheckout","https:\u002F\u002Fdonate.endoverdose.net\u002Fcampaign\u002Ffundraise-for-end-overdose\u002Fc548625",{"_createdAt":4,"_id":5,"_rev":6,"_type":7,"_updatedAt":8,"name":9,"nav_donate_link":10,"nav_fundraise_link":11},{"_createdAt":14,"_id":15,"_rev":16,"_type":17,"_updatedAt":18,"article":19,"author_ref":275,"category":278,"date":279,"image":280,"slug":283,"title":286},"2026-07-09T19:43:37Z","586441f8-677e-4081-b439-e157de988be3","7dK2bVxGx2PtjAKlKBjyVC","news","2026-07-09T19:46:06Z",[20,96,112,118,153,161,169,177,185,194,202,219,227,235,243,267],{"_key":21,"_type":22,"children":23,"markDefs":94,"style":95},"ee19acad852a","block",[24,29,34,38,42,46,50,54,58,62,66,70,74,78,82,86,90],{"_key":25,"_type":26,"marks":27,"text":28},"c6da6e7b1aba","span",[],"Bass-music producer, songwriter, and vocalist ",{"_key":30,"_type":26,"marks":31,"text":33},"bbccf27f0f81",[32],"strong","HVDES",{"_key":35,"_type":26,"marks":36,"text":37},"c44a025331be",[]," has announced a limited-entry event on ",{"_key":39,"_type":26,"marks":40,"text":41},"ff711519ff5b",[32],"Saturday, July 18th",{"_key":43,"_type":26,"marks":44,"text":45},"67b788f184ef",[],", in ",{"_key":47,"_type":26,"marks":48,"text":49},"3806514f1b4d",[32],"Los Angeles",{"_key":51,"_type":26,"marks":52,"text":53},"a5ad3aedae2d",[]," called ",{"_key":55,"_type":26,"marks":56,"text":57},"b8aa2b725341",[32],"Biohazard Kandi Lab",{"_key":59,"_type":26,"marks":60,"text":61},"591f9c20ba1f",[],". Hosted in collaboration with the 501(c)(3) nonprofit ",{"_key":63,"_type":26,"marks":64,"text":65},"9cb4dedb5497",[32],"End Overdose",{"_key":67,"_type":26,"marks":68,"text":69},"c589c98a104d",[],", the event will feature kandi-making stations courtesy of ",{"_key":71,"_type":26,"marks":72,"text":73},"8e6387181f37",[32],"Basshead Beads",{"_key":75,"_type":26,"marks":76,"text":77},"2fbdbd421f20",[]," alongside merch basket giveaways – featuring contributions from HVDES, ",{"_key":79,"_type":26,"marks":80,"text":81},"1b25c881e18a",[32],"Lunchbox Packs",{"_key":83,"_type":26,"marks":84,"text":85},"e90a68680754",[],", Basshead Beads, and End Overdose – and a giveaway of ",{"_key":87,"_type":26,"marks":88,"text":89},"bdd786f3eeb1",[32],"two GA tickets to any festival HVDES is performing at in 2026",{"_key":91,"_type":26,"marks":92,"text":93},"6c1f609af865",[],".",[],"normal",{"_key":97,"_type":22,"children":98,"markDefs":111,"style":95},"2078b84d91ae",[99,103,107],{"_key":100,"_type":26,"marks":101,"text":102},"b2234624e76e",[],"Raffle tickets to enter the giveaways will be acquired by packing End Overdose kits and making kandi at the event, but if you’re outside of Los Angeles, fear not! An ",{"_key":104,"_type":26,"marks":105,"text":106},"ece8656de65d",[32],"online gift basket",{"_key":108,"_type":26,"marks":109,"text":110},"f528bdcc569c",[]," will be available to one lucky winner as well.",[],{"_key":113,"_type":114,"asset":115},"e9cd83a58ede","image",{"_ref":116,"_type":117},"image-1166a649469b52f533ed4cecd574e3802e8a53f0-1733x720-png","reference",{"_key":119,"_type":22,"children":120,"markDefs":147,"style":95},"d952f83cea22",[121,125,129,134,138,143],{"_key":122,"_type":26,"marks":123,"text":124},"9798b0034bb7",[],"Attendance to the Biohazard Kandi Lab is limited – to win an entry ticket, ",{"_key":126,"_type":26,"marks":127,"text":128},"9624cfe14689",[32],"fans will be required to take End Overdose’s online overdose-response training at ",{"_key":130,"_type":26,"marks":131,"text":133},"8fe2acfd3e3e",[132,32],"a97df091c9c7","endoverdose.net",{"_key":135,"_type":26,"marks":136,"text":137},"923b0ab74d97",[]," and submit proof of training ",{"_key":139,"_type":26,"marks":140,"text":142},"8aed28d5431c",[141,32],"500c02e9a1fa","HERE",{"_key":144,"_type":26,"marks":145,"text":146},"a8ab7faf6970",[],". Winners of entry tickets will be announced via email and all attendance details will be provided prior to July 18th.",[148,151],{"_key":132,"_type":149,"href":150},"link","http:\u002F\u002Fendoverdose.net",{"_key":141,"_type":149,"href":152},"https:\u002F\u002Fforms.gle\u002FuVnFiQ6gRPe3XhdBA",{"_key":154,"_type":22,"children":155,"markDefs":160,"style":95},"9efd6b742ec7",[156],{"_key":157,"_type":26,"marks":158,"text":159},"c12d371cb70b",[],"While it’s an event centered around the joy of community, to HVDES, partnering with End Overdose is personal.",[],{"_key":162,"_type":22,"children":163,"markDefs":168,"style":95},"dc37c3d90d0e",[164],{"_key":165,"_type":26,"marks":166,"text":167},"2ad093a8b9eb",[],"“I've been sober for over six years, and through my own journey, the opioid crisis has deeply impacted both my own life and the lives of my family and friends. That's why partnering with End Overdose means so much to me. As someone with a platform, it's really important that I use it to support causes I genuinely care about and help to de-stigmatize conversations that might otherwise be uncomfortable for people to talk about, especially ones that have the potential to save lives.",[],{"_key":170,"_type":22,"children":171,"markDefs":176,"style":95},"ee954f7bed86",[172],{"_key":173,"_type":26,"marks":174,"text":175},"5c3852eb3d77",[],"I fell in love with the rave community when I first got involved in it and I really love bringing people together through music and community, and to me, as corny as it sounds, there's nothing more PLUR than looking out for your friends and making sure people are prepared in an emergency. One of the most meaningful parts of what I do is meeting people after shows who tell me they got naloxone certified because of something I shared or that they're celebrating their own recovery or even that they were able to save someone's life because they knew what to do.",[],{"_key":178,"_type":22,"children":179,"markDefs":184,"style":95},"b2ea87b07e97",[180],{"_key":181,"_type":26,"marks":182,"text":183},"db21f9bad201",[],"I feel like if we can create spaces where people connect and learn something that could save a life and leave them a little more prepared to care for one another, that makes it all worth it to me.”",[],{"_key":186,"_type":22,"children":187,"markDefs":193,"style":95},"293932c5ea6c",[188],{"_key":189,"_type":26,"marks":190,"text":192},"58c129e23055",[32,191],"underline","About HVDES",[],{"_key":195,"_type":22,"children":196,"markDefs":201,"style":95},"624d3a034cde",[197],{"_key":198,"_type":26,"marks":199,"text":200},"a586b5f1770c",[],"HVDES conjures a brutal kind of beauty—where shadow, emotion, and power collide. Classically trained and raised in the pulse of hardcore and alternative music, she fuses her influences into a sound that’s visceral, vulnerable, and vital. With roots in classical piano and the hardcore scene, she’s carved her own lane—one built on raw expression and sharp contrast.",[],{"_key":203,"_type":22,"children":204,"markDefs":218,"style":95},"35da6099b37f",[205,209,214],{"_key":206,"_type":26,"marks":207,"text":208},"078bcd46b751",[],"Her debut album ",{"_key":210,"_type":26,"marks":211,"text":213},"772b7d177db0",[212],"em","How To Kill A God",{"_key":215,"_type":26,"marks":216,"text":217},"80725134fcbe",[]," explores themes of control, chaos, and identity, rooted in her mythic persona. She’s toured across the U.S., Europe, and China, with syncs in Pistol Whip VR, Letterkenny, NHL, and the Chelsea vs. Leeds broadcast. In 2022, she co-wrote and co-produced a major rework with Bring Me The Horizon and Masked Wolf.",[],{"_key":220,"_type":22,"children":221,"markDefs":226,"style":95},"8ae02e4d5b40",[222],{"_key":223,"_type":26,"marks":224,"text":225},"a1c339789349",[],"For those drawn to the dark, HVDES offers something real—unfiltered, intense, and unmistakably her own.",[],{"_key":228,"_type":22,"children":229,"markDefs":234,"style":95},"1745d1a86ef2",[230],{"_key":231,"_type":26,"marks":232,"text":233},"913aae31f7a2",[32,191],"About End Overdose",[],{"_key":236,"_type":22,"children":237,"markDefs":242,"style":95},"7ffbd1c5ff91",[238],{"_key":239,"_type":26,"marks":240,"text":241},"d5b10683440a",[],"End Overdose is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to ending drug-related overdose deaths through education, medical intervention, and public awareness. End Overdose focuses on equipping communities with training, naloxone, and test strips to prevent and respond to an overdose crisis.",[],{"_key":244,"_type":22,"children":245,"markDefs":266,"style":95},"0c3565885031",[246,250,254,258,262],{"_key":247,"_type":26,"marks":248,"text":249},"016d8f68fb52",[],"End Overdose has 78 chapters, over 2,500 volunteers, and 5 online education programs, ranging from opioid overdose identification and response, to ",{"_key":251,"_type":26,"marks":252,"text":253},"fee2115b2b48",[212],"OUD Signs, Prevention, & Key Facts",{"_key":255,"_type":26,"marks":256,"text":257},"97f07f76937e",[]," and ",{"_key":259,"_type":26,"marks":260,"text":261},"bc134140f9eb",[212],"Reducing OUD Stigma",{"_key":263,"_type":26,"marks":264,"text":265},"ecade05e595f",[],". End Overdose’s work is made possible by its peer-to-peer model that allows young people to reach other young people and offer lifesaving resources to the age range most affected by drug-related overdose deaths.",[],{"_key":268,"_type":22,"children":269,"markDefs":274,"style":95},"2ccd3f3b7bed",[270],{"_key":271,"_type":26,"marks":272,"text":273},"e6c55f79966c",[],"End Overdose has distributed over 754,000 doses of naloxone, trained over 705,000 people, and distributed over 277,000 test strips nationwide.",[],{"image":276,"title":277},null,"End Overdose ","everything","2026-07-09",{"_type":114,"asset":281},{"_ref":282,"_type":117},"image-6e04e4499dfbb42f760e9bb274e57ddff50bcdb2-1080x541-png",{"_type":284,"current":285},"slug","hvdes-announces-biohazard-kandi-lab","HVDES Announces Biohazard Kandi Lab",[288,502,667],{"_createdAt":289,"_id":290,"_rev":291,"_system":292,"_type":17,"_updatedAt":295,"article":296,"author_ref":493,"category":278,"date":495,"image":496,"slug":499,"title":501},"2026-08-18T22:39:02Z","d4290acc-f5db-493b-a734-540f9bbebac7","mKXnN6k6Pf4Yvgc3pyrmZ0",{"base":293},{"id":290,"rev":294},"XamDxRXQuMgdpVDwXd18rx","2026-08-18T23:44:14Z",[297,306,329,341,349,356,364,374,382,389,397,404,412,419,427,437,445,452,460,470,478,485],{"_key":298,"_type":22,"children":299,"markDefs":304,"style":305},"1236e0ad2553",[300],{"_key":301,"_type":26,"marks":302,"text":303},"95c266f5b70b",[],"Carrying Cooper’s Legacy Forward: A Conversation with Harold Noriega",[],"h3",{"_key":307,"_type":22,"children":308,"markDefs":328,"style":95},"01b3b02eb277",[309,313,317,321,325],{"_key":310,"_type":26,"marks":311,"text":312},"000f0802cefe",[],"Before his passing on June 9, 2022, Cooper used his social media platform to create a space focused on helping young people openly discuss mental health, addiction, and the challenges they face without stigma or judgment. His mission was rooted in compassion, connection, and reminding others that they were not alone. Today, the Coop’s Advice Foundation continues that work through education and awareness around mental health, fentanyl, substance use, and overdose prevention. We sat down with Cooper’s father, ",{"_key":314,"_type":26,"marks":315,"text":316},"81a4122ad072",[32],"Harold Noriega",{"_key":318,"_type":26,"marks":319,"text":320},"0fc6c2fd9b08",[],", to reflect on who Cooper was, the mission he created, and how his family and community are carrying forward his message of ",{"_key":322,"_type":26,"marks":323,"text":324},"08fd237609c8",[32],"Love, Hope, and Encouragement",{"_key":326,"_type":26,"marks":327,"text":93},"92cf8cbdba68",[],[],{"_key":330,"_type":22,"children":331,"markDefs":340,"style":95},"a3ec8af8b2a9",[332,336],{"_key":333,"_type":26,"marks":334,"text":335},"8c1955dc1592",[32,212,191],"Can you share who Cooper was beyond his public platform and what you most want people to understand about him?",{"_key":337,"_type":26,"marks":338,"text":339},"6a84c22ea949",[]," ",[],{"_key":342,"_type":22,"children":343,"markDefs":348,"style":95},"036a2c873495",[344],{"_key":345,"_type":26,"marks":346,"text":347},"8f88d8eab962",[],"“Cooper has always been an empath and deeply cared for others. Ever since he was very young he would always stick up for other kids if they were being picked on or bullied. He later became that friend everyone would come to talk to if they were having problems. That is what people loved about him. That he cared so much for other people. That is the part of his personality that led him to reach out to you and Endoverdose”. ",[],{"_key":350,"_type":22,"children":351,"markDefs":355,"style":95},"8975c4a832a1",[352],{"_key":337,"_type":26,"marks":353,"text":354},[32,212,191],"What was Cooper’s original vision, and why was creating a safe space for young people so important to him? ",[],{"_key":357,"_type":22,"children":358,"markDefs":363,"style":95},"ca6464e4b2a5",[359],{"_key":360,"_type":26,"marks":361,"text":362},"1f24e26a9d3b",[],"“Cooper has explained on various social platforms that he struggled with mental health and addiction. He felt the stigma of both but knew that these issues were very real and could be extremely painful. He wanted to change how society viewed addiction and mental health and that it is Ok to not be Ok. To find a safe place for others, especially his peers to open up to talk about their struggles and most importantly, not feel alone. You are not alone. Because just as we have struggles with our physical health, every human being struggles with mental health”. ",[],{"_key":365,"_type":22,"children":366,"markDefs":373,"style":95},"174e42a7e747",[367,370],{"_key":337,"_type":26,"marks":368,"text":369},[32,212,191],"How did Cooper’s relationship with End Overdose begin, and what drew him to overdose-prevention work?",{"_key":371,"_type":26,"marks":372,"text":339},"06a800c9339e",[],[],{"_key":375,"_type":22,"children":376,"markDefs":381,"style":95},"06689b5b8265",[377],{"_key":378,"_type":26,"marks":379,"text":380},"cd4a7f6c61cd",[],"“It is my understanding that Coop came across End Overdose on social media. He was one of the first to start talking about the dangers of fentanyl and how it was being mixed in every type of drug. He wanted to promote the use of Naloxone because he knew kids were going to experiment or use drugs and there was a high risk of dying from Fentanyl poisoning”. ",[],{"_key":383,"_type":22,"children":384,"markDefs":388,"style":95},"5968c9984650",[385],{"_key":378,"_type":26,"marks":386,"text":387},[32,212,191],"What has it meant to you and your family to continue the work Cooper started? ",[],{"_key":390,"_type":22,"children":391,"markDefs":396,"style":95},"792250adbaeb",[392],{"_key":393,"_type":26,"marks":394,"text":395},"876f969eb14f",[],"“First of all, in this space of survivors of loved ones killed by Fentanyl poisoning, almost all of the fentanyl awareness and educational foundations were started by the survivors of the loved ones poisoned by Fentanyl. We are the only ones that I am aware of that were not started by us, my wife and daughter. The Coop's Advice Foundation was started by his closest friends that wanted to continue the dreams that Cooper had started: support of End Overdose and continue the Coop's Advice Discord platform. To be able continue what Cooper started has been extremely helpful to our family with dealing with the grief from his death”. ",[],{"_key":398,"_type":22,"children":399,"markDefs":403,"style":95},"6ad32b3934c2",[400],{"_key":393,"_type":26,"marks":401,"text":402},[32,212,191],"How has losing Cooper changed the way you understand fentanyl, substance use, and the risks young people face today? ",[],{"_key":405,"_type":22,"children":406,"markDefs":411,"style":95},"3374f0f8ebac",[407],{"_key":408,"_type":26,"marks":409,"text":410},"2fab3cd111a1",[],"“When I am in a private or public speaking forum I often state that \"If I knew then what I know now...\" At the time of his passing, we did not know how prevalent fentanyl was and that it is in everything that is not from a government regulated source. The fentanyl landscape is a minefield and it is not a matter of if you die, it is a matter of when you die. The risks are so severe with the odds completely against you if you are going to experiment or use any drugs”. ",[],{"_key":413,"_type":22,"children":414,"markDefs":418,"style":95},"e44959c85dcb",[415],{"_key":408,"_type":26,"marks":416,"text":417},[32,212,191],"Why do you believe parents and families need to have more open conversations about mental health, counterfeit pills, and overdose prevention? ",[],{"_key":420,"_type":22,"children":421,"markDefs":426,"style":95},"62fa372fb33b",[422],{"_key":423,"_type":26,"marks":424,"text":425},"49ab06d58d37",[],"“I am a proponent of having direct conversations with our children. They are making adult decisions that have grave adult consequences. I believe our youth needs to be empowered with the knowledge of exactly this landscape, this minefield that they are entering into. By being empowered with the knowledge of what fentanyl is, how what they think may be a legitimate drug has an overwhelming statistic of being a counterfeit drug with a lethal dose of fentanyl that will result in death. If you know the risks, my hope is that these kids will consider making different choices. Because it is their choice to make. No one else will be there to make that choice for them. The empowerment of knowledge is power that will save lives that do not need to die, like Cooper”. ",[],{"_key":428,"_type":22,"children":429,"markDefs":436,"style":95},"c6fb3b460ea1",[430,433],{"_key":423,"_type":26,"marks":431,"text":432},[212,32,191],"What role can naloxone education and access play in preventing other families from experiencing a similar loss?",{"_key":434,"_type":26,"marks":435,"text":339},"bc2a7f726ffc",[],[],{"_key":438,"_type":22,"children":439,"markDefs":444,"style":95},"e13f3feb9661",[440],{"_key":441,"_type":26,"marks":442,"text":443},"d27059cf610e",[],"“I do not believe we are ever going to eliminate the use of illegal drugs. But by knowing about Naloxone and having it and knowing how to administer it, I believe we can greatly reduce the deaths of those who would have died if someone did not have Naloxone with them and knew how to administer it. Save lives and let's keep working on the \"why\" part of someone taking drugs”. ",[],{"_key":446,"_type":22,"children":447,"markDefs":451,"style":95},"a7c6a685a515",[448],{"_key":441,"_type":26,"marks":449,"text":450},[32,212,191],"How have Coop’s Advice and End Overdose worked together to carry Cooper’s message forward? ",[],{"_key":453,"_type":22,"children":454,"markDefs":459,"style":95},"b12808a43bf4",[455],{"_key":456,"_type":26,"marks":457,"text":458},"20348fb08a5c",[],"Since Cooper's death, both organizations have continued to support each other's work and platforms. We have done education videos, podcasts, merchandise sales, attended and spoke at public events. Theo and his team are doing invaluable work. We will continue to support End Overdose in any way that we can. Coop would be proud of what End Overdose has achieved and the many lives they have saved”. ",[],{"_key":461,"_type":22,"children":462,"markDefs":469,"style":95},"9a2556b7929b",[463,466],{"_key":456,"_type":26,"marks":464,"text":465},[191,212,32],"What do you wish more young people understood about counterfeit medications and fentanyl poisoning?",{"_key":467,"_type":26,"marks":468,"text":339},"5e8bdb30d6a5",[],[],{"_key":471,"_type":22,"children":472,"markDefs":477,"style":95},"c4bff1141f79",[473],{"_key":474,"_type":26,"marks":475,"text":476},"41295ed1cd77",[],"“The one thing I would like our youth to understand about counterfeit drugs is that fentanyl is in everything. It is now being found marijuana and vape cartridges because these two in particular have been \"normalized\" because they are \"legal\". Nothing is no longer safe unless you receive it directly from a U.S. pharmacys”.",[],{"_key":479,"_type":22,"children":480,"markDefs":484,"style":95},"1ead949350e5",[481],{"_key":474,"_type":26,"marks":482,"text":483},[212,32,191],"What do you hope Cooper’s legacy inspires people to do within their own families and communities? ",[],{"_key":486,"_type":22,"children":487,"markDefs":492,"style":95},"854fa01ecafe",[488],{"_key":489,"_type":26,"marks":490,"text":491},"fd7039307399",[],"“It is my hope that parents, educators, coaches etc can create an open and safe space to talk about drugs in order to empower others with the knowledge of this dangerous environment. It is an environment that although we are making progress has a long way to go to eliminate it from our society. It is also my hope that we will look at the mental health aspect of this. Mental health is the underlying root. In an open and safe environment, we need to start talking and looking at the \"why\" we are choosing to use a drug that comes with such a high degree of risk of death. There are many other positive and healthy choices one can make to deal with our struggles versus a negative and unhealthy choice that could very well result in your death. Coop's message was about Love, Hope and Encouragement. We will continue his message and if we save just one life, mission accomplished. create a intro for harold noriega and coops advice”.",[],{"_ref":494,"_type":117},"cf90ef13-140e-4ab6-a44f-29357374d13b","2026-08-29",{"_type":114,"asset":497},{"_ref":498,"_type":117},"image-ea948997d25abc17f8f502b4767187665e6d51ef-1500x2000-webp",{"_type":284,"current":500},"continuing-cooper-s-mission-of-love-hope-and-encouragement","Continuing Cooper’s Mission of Love, Hope, and Encouragement",{"_createdAt":503,"_id":504,"_rev":505,"_system":506,"_type":17,"_updatedAt":509,"article":510,"author_ref":659,"category":278,"date":660,"image":661,"slug":664,"title":666},"2026-08-18T23:07:36Z","3fe98125-bb74-4485-a498-a8bdd96fa8a0","mKXnN6k6Pf4Yvgc3pyrlwF",{"base":507},{"id":504,"rev":508},"EPY7lLGeFYX0YhekN50MeX","2026-08-18T23:44:00Z",[511,527,535,543,551,559,567,579,587,595,607,619,627,635,643,651],{"_key":512,"_type":22,"children":513,"markDefs":526,"style":95},"85da58a6b9b7",[514,518,522],{"_key":515,"_type":26,"marks":516,"text":517},"b6af08fc85ea",[],"Paul Martin has dedicated his career to reducing physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering through advocacy, nonprofit leadership, and public education. Formally trained in philosophical ethics, Paul has served in senior nonprofit roles both nationally and internationally. After witnessing the devastating impact of fentanyl on people experiencing addiction and on families who have lost loved ones to poisoning, he founded ",{"_key":519,"_type":26,"marks":520,"text":521},"65582e35559d",[32],"United Against Fentanyl",{"_key":523,"_type":26,"marks":524,"text":525},"036842633150",[]," to help bring communities, families, and organizations together around awareness, education, and action. Paul holds a BA in Philosophy from UCLA and an MA in Philosophy, Religion, and Ethics from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. He is also preparing to launch a podcast exploring what he describes as the intersection of addiction and organized crime. ",[],{"_key":528,"_type":22,"children":529,"markDefs":534,"style":95},"57357a80a444",[530],{"_key":531,"_type":26,"marks":532,"text":533},"4cbce7ab4f50",[],"This month we had the opportunity to sit down with Paul and learn more about him and the organization he created. ",[],{"_key":536,"_type":22,"children":537,"markDefs":542,"style":95},"cef35d175b10",[538],{"_key":539,"_type":26,"marks":540,"text":541},"cb6a34df0b25",[32,212,191],"What experiences first inspired you to create United Against Fentanyl?",[],{"_key":544,"_type":22,"children":545,"markDefs":550,"style":95},"c6e8b2be3259",[546],{"_key":547,"_type":26,"marks":548,"text":549},"3e44411a0673",[],"I’ve spent my life fighting injustice and working to help end human suffering. In 2023 I stumbled upon a rural town in New Mexico and learned about fentanyl. I ended up spending the year working with city officials, mentoring teens, and working directly with fentanyl users. I was later invited to Washington DC for an even for bereaved family members. I felt I need to use my experience to help in the crisis.",[],{"_key":552,"_type":22,"children":553,"markDefs":558,"style":95},"e876d6ea034f",[554],{"_key":555,"_type":26,"marks":556,"text":557},"a518316ca9b4",[],"",[],{"_key":560,"_type":22,"children":561,"markDefs":566,"style":95},"8bb667505a5d",[562],{"_key":563,"_type":26,"marks":564,"text":565},"e70f029767a9",[32,212,191],"How did the idea for Walk for Lives begin?",[],{"_key":568,"_type":22,"children":569,"markDefs":578,"style":95},"0512558b4939",[570,574],{"_key":571,"_type":26,"marks":572,"text":573},"8226c8d25b58",[],"With a few months of launching UAF we had dozens of letters from moms who lost children. They clicked the “get involved” button on our website and described losing their child and wanting to volunteer especially in their communities. Walk for Lives was ultimately birthed by them—we just provided training and marketing for them.\n\n",{"_key":575,"_type":26,"marks":576,"text":577},"161fca4698f6",[32,212,191],"Why was it important for families and survivors to be at the center of these events?",[],{"_key":580,"_type":22,"children":581,"markDefs":586,"style":95},"82fae880ae43",[582],{"_key":583,"_type":26,"marks":584,"text":585},"734488e5ba42",[],"All the data and facts and statistics we have do not light a candle to a story being told by a family member, especially a mother. When they tell their stories, people listen. Because Walk for Lives was birthed by these family members, we felt it important to step back and let them lead these events and also serve on our UAF national volunteer team\n\n",[],{"_key":588,"_type":22,"children":589,"markDefs":594,"style":95},"16a65f18cbfa",[590],{"_key":591,"_type":26,"marks":592,"text":593},"19a190600676",[212,191,32],"What makes a public walk such a powerful way to honor lives lost and educate communities?",[],{"_key":596,"_type":22,"children":597,"markDefs":606,"style":95},"4974a19d5d62",[598,602],{"_key":599,"_type":26,"marks":600,"text":601},"067b4e6ead4c",[],"\nWalking together creates a kind of ritual, or some would say embodiment. Walks have been used, going back to Gandhi and even before, as a way of showing solidarity in spirit, not only surrounding an issue but also, again, with our actual physical bodies unified, moving together in the same direction\n\n",{"_key":603,"_type":26,"marks":604,"text":605},"58e2aea79d01",[32,212,191],"How does Walk for Lives help turn grief and awareness into meaningful action?",[],{"_key":608,"_type":22,"children":609,"markDefs":618,"style":95},"f6862ffbb3bd",[610,614],{"_key":611,"_type":26,"marks":612,"text":613},"9e92f1735777",[],"\nThere is perhaps no more powerful force in the universe than that of a parent or family member losing a loved one. That loss cannot be compared to anything else. There are one million parents grieving the loss of a child due to fentanyl and over five million family members when you add siblings and grandparents. There is an army out there with a deep desire to find purpose in their loss. That's what Walk for Lives is about\n\n",{"_key":615,"_type":26,"marks":616,"text":617},"45ff8f1ebf87",[32,212,191],"What have you learned from the families and communities participating across the country?",[],{"_key":620,"_type":22,"children":621,"markDefs":626,"style":95},"07dbcf723ce1",[622],{"_key":623,"_type":26,"marks":624,"text":625},"82a0905a8d93",[],"\nI've learned that because there is no right or wrong way to grieve, some family members are not comfortable being involved in advocacy or awareness. But others feel that they must. Some have shared with us that participation in Walk for Lives literally saved their life. Ultimately, I’ve learned that these remarkable men and women have the most profound sense of loss, and it's shown me, because I've spoken with hundreds of them and meet with them every day of the week, that this fentanyl crisis is far more insidious than most people realize\n",[],{"_key":628,"_type":22,"children":629,"markDefs":634,"style":95},"6ebf55d45834",[630],{"_key":631,"_type":26,"marks":632,"text":633},"1df451e04931",[32,212,191],"Why are partnerships with organizations like End Overdose important to expanding the campaign’s impact?",[],{"_key":636,"_type":22,"children":637,"markDefs":642,"style":95},"0cbe090d652a",[638],{"_key":639,"_type":26,"marks":640,"text":641},"98c5fc0b7fa1",[],"\nUnited Against Fentanyl is a coordinating organization. Our heart and vision is to help amplify the work of individuals and organizations and find true win-win relationships, because given an issue as massive as Fentanyl and the emerging synthetic drugs, positivity and optimism and collaboration and unity must be central to success\n",[],{"_key":644,"_type":22,"children":645,"markDefs":650,"style":95},"ed5804c0973b",[646],{"_key":647,"_type":26,"marks":648,"text":649},"1364d57cf838",[212,32,191],"What do you hope every person takes away from participating in a Walk for Lives event?",[],{"_key":652,"_type":22,"children":653,"markDefs":658,"style":95},"32454baf468a",[654],{"_key":655,"_type":26,"marks":656,"text":657},"68283d164d2d",[],"I hope everybody leaves feeling more connected with the greatest power in the universe, which is our relationships with family, friends, and community. From that, I hope people understand the uniqueness of fentanyl and also that stigma is the single greatest reason why it's so difficult to win the battle against addiction",[],{"_ref":494,"_type":117},"2026-08-22",{"_type":114,"asset":662},{"_ref":663,"_type":117},"image-761acda4c9c3afccac9d06c2e2929a8f0c1816b6-1672x941-png",{"_type":284,"current":665},"from-grief-to-action-united-against-fentanyl-s-walk-for-lives","From Grief to Action: United Against Fentanyl’s Walk for Lives",{"_createdAt":668,"_id":669,"_rev":670,"_system":671,"_type":17,"_updatedAt":674,"article":675,"author_ref":805,"category":278,"date":806,"image":807,"slug":810,"title":812},"2026-08-05T19:27:11Z","69fc4d8b-bb8b-4fcd-bd9c-94b016c0d892","mKXnN6k6Pf4Yvgc3pygDg7",{"base":672},{"id":669,"rev":673},"HCqeaLQ27C1gj5KpntvVwL","2026-08-18T22:35:30Z",[676,684,692,700,707,714,721,728,735,742,749,756,763,770,777,784,791,798],{"_key":677,"_type":22,"children":678,"markDefs":683,"style":95},"637ce97c07c6",[679],{"_key":680,"_type":26,"marks":681,"text":682},"c22fbedf275c",[],"Hollywood Hills Recovery has made overdose education an ongoing part of its commitment to client safety and long-term recovery. They regularly schedule overdose-response training, ensuring that clients leave treatment with practical knowledge that could save a life. Located in Los Angeles, Hollywood Hills Recovery provides detoxification, residential treatment, outpatient programming, aftercare, and sober-living support in a compassionate and highly personalized environment. Its approach combines evidence-based treatment with holistic services and individualized care designed to help people build meaningful, sustainable lives in recovery.",[],{"_key":685,"_type":22,"children":686,"markDefs":691,"style":95},"3d1f614b15ba",[687],{"_key":688,"_type":26,"marks":689,"text":690},"597fbb70bfbc",[],"We sat down with Talin Sislyan, Chief Executive Officer of Hollywood Hills Recovery, to learn more about the values that guide her leadership and her decision to support End Overdose during Overdose Awareness Month. While there are many recovery centers, not all demonstrate the same level of commitment to overdose prevention and community education. Talin’s consistent efforts to bring lifesaving training and awareness directly to the people her organization serves are what make Hollywood Hills Recovery stand out. In this conversation, Talin discusses the importance of naloxone access, the barriers people face when entering treatment, the damaging effects of stigma, and what treatment providers can do to make recovery feel more accessible. Her perspective reflects a simple but powerful belief: every overdose prevented gives someone another opportunity to heal and begin a life in recovery",[],{"_key":693,"_type":22,"children":694,"markDefs":699,"style":95},"232bc3d92d61",[695],{"_key":696,"_type":26,"marks":697,"text":698},"5361448743dd",[32,191,212],"Why did Hollywood Hills Recovery choose to support End Overdose during Overdose Awareness Month? ",[],{"_key":701,"_type":22,"children":702,"markDefs":706,"style":95},"302beb3a9d53",[703],{"_key":696,"_type":26,"marks":704,"text":705},[],"At Hollywood Hills Recovery, our mission has always been to save lives, restore hope, and help individuals and families affected by substance use disorders. Supporting End Overdose during Overdose Awareness Month is a natural extension of that mission because we believe every life is worth saving, and every overdose prevented is another opportunity for recovery. Overdose Awareness Month is about more than remembering those we've lost—it's about educating our communities, reducing stigma, and empowering people with the tools and knowledge to respond in an emergency. Organizations like End Overdose are making a tremendous impact by increasing access to naloxone, providing overdose response training, and helping communities understand that addiction is a treatable medical condition, not a moral failing. We are proud to partner with organizations that share our commitment to compassion, education, and action. By working together, we can raise awareness, expand access to lifesaving resources, and remind people that recovery is possible. Every life saved is another chance for healing, and that is something we will always stand behind. ",[],{"_key":708,"_type":22,"children":709,"markDefs":713,"style":95},"98d0b1a24bcc",[710],{"_key":696,"_type":26,"marks":711,"text":712},[32,212,191],"Why is overdose awareness especially important right now? ",[],{"_key":715,"_type":22,"children":716,"markDefs":720,"style":95},"c42a73d494dc",[717],{"_key":696,"_type":26,"marks":718,"text":719},[],"Overdose awareness is more important than ever because we continue to see an alarming number of lives impacted by fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, many of which are unknowingly mixed into counterfeit pills and other substances. Overdose can happen to anyone, regardless of age, background, or socioeconomic status. By increasing awareness, educating our communities about the warning signs of overdose, and expanding access to lifesaving resources like naloxone, we have the opportunity to save lives. Awareness also helps reduce stigma and encourages people to seek help before a crisis occurs.",[],{"_key":722,"_type":22,"children":723,"markDefs":727,"style":95},"5f024348371e",[724],{"_key":696,"_type":26,"marks":725,"text":726},[32,212,191],"How does your organization support people throughout the recovery process?",[],{"_key":729,"_type":22,"children":730,"markDefs":734,"style":95},"b7ed23f319b0",[731],{"_key":696,"_type":26,"marks":732,"text":733},[]," Recovery is not a one-size-fits-all journey, and we believe every individual deserves personalized care. We support our clients from their initial assessment through detoxification, residential treatment, outpatient services, aftercare planning, relapse prevention, and long-term recovery support. Our multidisciplinary team provides medical care, therapy, case management, peer support, family involvement, and individualized treatment planning. Our goal is not only to help people stop using substances but to help them rebuild healthy, meaningful, and fulfilling lives. ",[],{"_key":736,"_type":22,"children":737,"markDefs":741,"style":95},"b6ecfbd6ea61",[738],{"_key":696,"_type":26,"marks":739,"text":740},[191,212,32],"What are some of the biggest obstacles people face when entering treatment? ",[],{"_key":743,"_type":22,"children":744,"markDefs":748,"style":95},"9deb2a01fd4a",[745],{"_key":696,"_type":26,"marks":746,"text":747},[],"Many individuals face significant barriers before they ever walk through our doors. Fear of judgment, shame, financial concerns, uncertainty about insurance coverage, family responsibilities, employment obligations, and the fear of withdrawal often prevent people from seeking help. In many cases, individuals have also experienced trauma or previous unsuccessful treatment attempts, making them hesitant to try again. Removing these barriers through education, compassion, and accessible services is critical to helping more people begin their recovery journey. ",[],{"_key":750,"_type":22,"children":751,"markDefs":755,"style":95},"40269dfe880d",[752],{"_key":696,"_type":26,"marks":753,"text":754},[212,32,191],"How can treatment providers make recovery feel more accessible? ",[],{"_key":757,"_type":22,"children":758,"markDefs":762,"style":95},"3387ce68acd7",[759],{"_key":696,"_type":26,"marks":760,"text":761},[],"Treatment providers can make recovery more accessible by meeting people where they are without judgment. That means offering flexible treatment options, simplifying the admissions process, providing clear information about insurance and payment options, incorporating evidence-based practices, and creating welcoming environments where individuals feel respected and supported. Accessibility also means recognizing that recovery looks different for everyone and tailoring treatment to each person's unique needs, goals, and circumstances. ",[],{"_key":764,"_type":22,"children":765,"markDefs":769,"style":95},"a1e0c7410ec8",[766],{"_key":696,"_type":26,"marks":767,"text":768},[212,32],"Why should naloxone be available in more homes, businesses, and public spaces? ",[],{"_key":771,"_type":22,"children":772,"markDefs":776,"style":95},"e31aa695c13b",[773],{"_key":696,"_type":26,"marks":774,"text":775},[],"Naloxone saves lives. It is a safe, easy-to-administer medication that can reverse an opioid overdose within minutes while emergency medical services are on the way. Just as communities have embraced CPR training and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to respond to cardiac emergencies, naloxone should become another standard lifesaving resource. Making naloxone readily available in homes, schools, workplaces, restaurants, hotels, treatment facilities, and other public locations can significantly reduce overdose fatalities and provide individuals with another opportunity to enter recovery. ",[],{"_key":778,"_type":22,"children":779,"markDefs":783,"style":95},"34ab1f45a6b6",[780],{"_key":696,"_type":26,"marks":781,"text":782},[212,32],"How does stigma affect individuals and families seeking support?",[],{"_key":785,"_type":22,"children":786,"markDefs":790,"style":95},"5fc0bf68593c",[787],{"_key":696,"_type":26,"marks":788,"text":789},[],"Stigma remains one of the greatest barriers to treatment. When addiction is viewed as a moral failure rather than a treatable medical condition, people often delay seeking help because they fear being judged, misunderstood, or discriminated against. Families may also experience guilt, isolation, or embarrassment that prevents them from reaching out for support. By changing the conversation around addiction, educating our communities, and treating every individual with dignity and compassion, we can reduce stigma and encourage more people to seek the help they deserve. ",[],{"_key":792,"_type":22,"children":793,"markDefs":797,"style":95},"2940b9b76210",[794],{"_key":696,"_type":26,"marks":795,"text":796},[32,191,212],"What advice would you give someone concerned about a loved one’s substance use? ",[],{"_key":799,"_type":22,"children":800,"markDefs":804,"style":95},"2e9640bb74a6",[801],{"_key":696,"_type":26,"marks":802,"text":803},[],"The most important advice is not to wait until a crisis becomes irreversible. Approach your loved one with compassion rather than confrontation. Express your concerns using supportive language, listen without judgment, and encourage them to seek professional help. Recovery often begins with a single conversation, and even if they are not ready today, your consistent support can make a meaningful difference. It's also important to remember that families need support too. Seeking guidance from treatment professionals, support groups, or counselors can help families navigate this difficult journey while maintaining hope. Addiction is treatable, recovery is possible, and no one has to face it alone. ",[],{"_ref":494,"_type":117},"2026-08-20",{"_type":114,"asset":808},{"_ref":809,"_type":117},"image-48d2eb10adcbc591461513aa7db2c902b83e3dca-1672x941-png",{"_type":284,"current":811},"hollywood-hills-recovery-saving-lives-reducing-stigma-and-supporting-recovery","Hollywood Hills Recovery: Saving Lives, Reducing Stigma, and Supporting Recovery",1787684469405]