May was an exciting and rewarding month for Narcare UO as we celebrated several major accomplishments and continued our commitment to harm reduction in the Eugene community. We are incredibly grateful to have received two prestigious awards this month. Narcare UO was honored with the $1,000 Rutherford Outstanding Student Organization Award, the highest recognition presented through the University of Oregon’s Student Group Excellence Awards. We were also recognized with the Exceptional Public Health & Safety Award from the Student Health Advisory Committee Executive Board on May 16. These awards reflect the hard work, dedication, and passion of our members as we strive to promote education, overdose prevention, and community well-being.
In addition to these achievements, we had the opportunity to partner with HIV Alliance at the Eugene Emeralds minor league baseball game, where we connected with community members and distributed valuable harm reduction resources. Throughout the event, we handed out Narcan, drink-spiking test kits, and three different types of drug testing strips to help increase awareness and promote safety. The following day, we joined CORE Eugene for another harm reduction kit packaging event, assembling supplies that will be distributed to individuals in our community who may benefit from these resources.
As we look ahead to June, we are excited to welcome our newly elected executive board for the 2026–2027 academic year. We are grateful for the support we have received this year and look forward to continuing our mission of education, advocacy, and harm reduction both on campus and throughout the Eugene community.
On May 12, Narcare USFCA hosted an educational seminar, An Overview of Opioids, featuring Dr. Ana Brown from the Department of Chemistry. Attendees learned about the history and discovery of opioids, how these substances affect the body, and recent advances in opioid formulations and research. The presentation offered a valuable opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of a topic that continues to have significant public health impacts. We are grateful to Dr. Brown for sharing her expertise and helping foster informed conversations about opioid use, overdose prevention, and the importance of fact-based education.
In May 2026, California lawmakers continued advancing Assembly Bill 1037 (AB 1037), legislation aimed at expanding access to naloxone, the life-saving medication used to reverse opioid overdoses. The bill intends to remove barriers that may prevent individuals and organizations from obtaining and distributing naloxone by broadening legal protections for those who provide the medication and simplifying training requirements. Supporters argue that increasing access to naloxone is an important strategy in addressing the ongoing opioid overdose crisis, as rapid administration of the medication can prevent overdoses and provide individuals with a second chance at recovery.
If enacted, the legislation could strengthen the work of harm reduction organizations, public health agencies, schools, and community groups that regularly distribute naloxone and provide overdose prevention education. Organizations such as Narcare and other overdose prevention nonprofits may benefit from the expanded ability to reach community members with life-saving resources. The bill reflects a growing nationwide emphasis on harm reduction approaches that prioritize public health, community education, and increased access to overdose reversal medications as tools for reducing opioid-related deaths.
As discussions surrounding opioid overdose prevention continue to evolve, staying informed about policy changes remains an important part of public health advocacy. Those interested in learning more about AB 1037 and its progress through the California Legislature can read the full bill text and legislative analysis online. Understanding how policies like this are developed and implemented helps community members, healthcare professionals, and advocacy organizations better engage in efforts to reduce overdose deaths and improve access to life-saving resources such as naloxone.
California, in. (2025, December 15). Aurrera Health Group. Aurrera Health Group. https://www.aurrerahealth.com/blog/a-health-and-safetyfirst-future-how-ab-1037-reframes-substance-use-care-in-california
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