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101 <br /> STUDENT GOVERNMENT <br /> February 18,2026 <br /> RE:Letter of Support for UNC--Chapel Hill Campus Naloxone Supply Grant <br /> Orange County Opioid Settlement Funds <br /> To the Orange County Opioid Advisory Committee, <br /> I am writing in strong support of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Student Wellness <br /> proposal to expand naloxone access and overdose prevention initiatives on our campus through the <br /> Orange County Opioid Settlement Funds.As Executive Director for the Harm Reduction Coalition at <br /> UNC(HRC@UNC)and a Deputy Director within the UNC Student Government,I have witnessed the <br /> urgent need for accessible harm reduction resources and the impact of this kind of public health initiative. <br /> HRC@UNC works directly with students and the community population to provide overdose prevention <br /> education,reduce stigma around substance use,and distribute life-saving resources such as naloxone.Our <br /> coalition consistently engages community members who are concerned about their peers but unsure how <br /> to intervene safely.Expanding access to free naloxone through the installation of ONE Boxes alongside <br /> AEDs in addition to free,over-the-counter distribution in private,low-barrier settings will significantly <br /> strengthen our campus safety net. <br /> From a Student Government perspective,this initiative reflects our institutional commitment to student <br /> health,safety,and well-being. Student leaders regularly hear concerns about substance use,mental health <br /> crises,and barriers to accessing confidential support. Increasing naloxone availability normalizes <br /> preparedness,empowers bystanders,and reinforces a campus culture rooted in care and shared <br /> responsibility.Importantly,this effort extends beyond UNC students as our campus is deeply <br /> interconnected with the broader Orange County community.Equipping students and community members <br /> with naloxone has ripple effects far beyond the campus community, including off-campus housing, <br /> workplaces,and community spaces. <br /> The collaboration between Student Wellness,HRC@UNC,campus partners,and student leadership <br /> demonstrates both readiness and sustainability.This proposal builds upon established infrastructure, <br /> trusted peer networks,and existing educational programming to ensure that funds are used efficiently and <br /> effectively. I strongly support this application and am confident that expanding naloxone access at UNC- <br /> Chapel Hill will have measurable, life-saving impacts for students and the broader community.Thank you <br /> for your consideration and for your continued commitment to advancing harm reduction efforts in Orange <br /> County. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Christian McFadyen <br /> Executive Director,Harm Reduction Coalition at UNC-Chapel Hill(HRC@UNC) <br /> Deputy Director,UNC Student Government Department of Student Wellness and Safety <br /> University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill <br />