Welcome to our eighth Sam Chase Fund newsletter. Our intention is to inform you of resources aligned with our mission of helping young adults find their path to thrive,  showcase non-profits raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl, and share what we are up to. You will receive these newsletters on the 27th of each month.

Our website now has a newsletter archives, please visit our website and read each tab to get a deeper understanding of all we are doing.

Announcements

Website Resources

Fall brings major transitions for a lot of people with work, school, and more. We updated a new resource on our website to offer healthy coping strategies. The first resource we talk about is breathing techniques. Whether you struggle with anxiety, transitions, or stress, finding your breath can be one of the best ways to bring your body back to a calmer state. We will be adding to this tab monthly, so be sure to keep up with our on going coping strategies. To find these resources on our website, click below:

Sam's Story

   In our April edition, we shared Sam's story. The amount of love & support that was poured into us gave us the hope we needed to know we are doing the right thing by opening up. Thank you for supporting our vulnerability and standing with us as we dive deep into things that can be normally shied away from.  

For more stories like Sam's, click below to view impact stories from other loved ones who lost their young adult to fentanyl poisoning. 

Outreach

Where we are in the community

College of the Siskiyous: EdTalks

I am teaching regular EdTalks at our local community college. The intent of these talks are to help the kids be the best students they can be. I see this as a holistic approach. My talks will have mental wellness practices, personal growth tools, physical wellness tips, relationship strategies, and so much more. The kids are engaged and open to learning, I love it!

- Courtney

Drugs in the Age of Fentanyl: by Courtney & Chris Chase 

Chris and I did a presentation at the college about today’s drug landscape, fentanyl, and fake pills. Not only do we share our story, we share the incredibly scary and factual information we continue to learn regarding fentanyl. This presentation is thanks to Song For Charlie.

Because the college asked us to include information about alcohol, SCF team member Maureen spoke to the group about the dangers of alcohol for students and how fentanyl has changed the party scene for college kids.

- Courtney

Resources

We want to share what we are currently researching and learning, in order for us to share this vital information with all of you and continue to spread awareness .

Fentanyl 101: Current Data & Statistics

Laced & Lethal: The Risk is Real

Did you know?

• Every year more Fentanyl is being added to pills and powdered drugs. Between 2018 and 2020 alone overdosed deaths that are fentanyl-related have increased by 164% in King County, Washington. This is due to the current supply being drastically different. Fentanyl is 50x stronger than heroin, and 100x stronger than morphine. (lacedandlethal.com)
    

  Talking to Teens about Fentanyl

   

  Below are highlights of an important infographic on the importance of talking to your teen about Fentanyl.

• Make it a conversation: It's so important that when you start this discussion, that it does not gravitate to your teen hearing potential judgement, but rather sticking to the scientific and life-saving facts. Listening is essential.

• Explain the reality: The Fentanyl epidemic is not a distant danger, but a present one, infiltrating many communities. Relay the fact that "only people who get drugs from random people overdose" is false.

• Be clear about the risk: Fentanyl lacks taste, odor, and is too small to be viewed by the naked eye. It only takes consuming it in the amount of two grains of salt, to overdose. There is no such thing as a "safe" source. Fentanyl can be laced into a substance long before it reaches a dealer, a trusted friend, or another supplier. This lethal dose distributed in powder or pills is random; Just because one pill is not deadly, doesn't mean the next one isn't.

   

This information was provided by Song For Charlie. To access a full page on current data on the Fentanyl epidemic and more spotlight stats, click below

Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday is coming up! Last year, Giving Tuesday really launched this fund. In the past year we have made more of an impact than we could have imagined and we are so grateful for all of you who were willing to trust us with your donation and believed in us to start this Fund on behalf of Sam. As we are approaching GT we want to open space up for anyone to reach out and ask questions or give tips on what they would like to see from us in the coming year! We are so grateful for any and all donations and we will give further details as we get closer.

Please help young adults find their path by supporting The Sam Chase Fund with your tax deductible contribution.

Donations to the Sam Chase Fund are processed and administered by our partner, The Community Foundation of the North State. The Foundation is a 501c (3) non-profit foundation and all donations are tax deductible.

 Thank you to those of you who have joined our team! We are so grateful to have such dedicated, loving, talented people. Please join us in welcoming Maureen, Kacey, Kalia, and Nichelle!  

Know someone who can benefit from our resources ? Have questions?

Contact Our Team

TAKE ACTION

Explore the link on how you can join the fight in spreading awareness to the dangers of fentanyl poisoning.