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George Gerchow

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Jaxon met another (more famous) Jackson today! 💜🐾

@jaxthedood_ @ggerchow #bigwildhikeclub

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If someone wears a helmet while riding a bike, we don't assume we're encouraging reckless riding. We're reducing the risk of serious injury ⛑

Harm reduction works the same way.

Its purpose is not to encourage substance use. It's to reduce the risk of death, disease, and lifelong harm while keeping people alive long enough to access support, treatment, etc.

Take a moment to reflect:
💭 If someone unknowingly encountered fentanyl-poisoned drugs, would you want them to have access to life-saving tools like Naloxone or fentanyl test strips?

💭 Do you believe carrying Naloxone is any different than wearing a helmet, fastening a seatbelt, or keeping a fire extinguisher at home? Why?

💭 Could stigma around harm reduction prevent someone from taking simple steps that might save a life?

💭 How can each of us help create a culture where education, preparedness, and compassion are valued over judgment?

Changing stigma starts with changing conversations.

We encourage everyone to read our newest blog linked in our bio, "Harm Reduction or Enabling?" to better understand why harm reduction saves lives and why compassion and education matter.

A special thank you to Maddie Louder, MA, LMHCA, for contributing this thoughtful and evidence-based article. Your work helps our community move beyond judgment and toward understanding 💜

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Planning a family or just becoming new parents? Here's what you need to know in the age of the fentanyl epidemic.

Opioid use during and before pregnancy has adverse effects for both the mother and baby, but the effects of fentanyl by itself are not as often discussed.

As our partner Ben Westhoff shared at last year’s Beyond the Overdose panel, today’s drug supply is unpredictable. Illicit fentanyl is often mixed into counterfeit pills and other substances without people knowing. That means exposure isn’t always intentional. It can be accidental poisoning.

Long-term opioid exposure can disrupt hormones, menstrual cycles, and ovulation. In men, it can lower testosterone and impact sperm quality, and newer research shows sperm health plays a major role in miscarriage risk and pregnancy outcomes.

During pregnancy, fentanyl exposure (prescribed or illicit) is linked to preterm birth and neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). NAS is treatable, and evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder is still the safest path for parent and baby.

Postpartum is another vulnerable window. Many new parents are prescribed high-strength opioids after delivery, and leftover pills in the home can increase risk for misuse, diversion, or relapse.

So, where does this leave us?

In an era of counterfeit pills and accidental poisoning, awareness is power. Ask questions. Know what you’re taking. Talk openly with providers. Loop partners into the conversation. Always remember to treat medications as the powerful substances they are and use caution.

Huge thank you to Whitney Van Vleet, MA, MS, for connecting the dots between the fentanyl epidemic and fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum health, a conversation that rarely makes it into prevention spaces 💜

Read her blog in our bio 🔗

Let us know what else you'd like to learn about 👇

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How is it mid-January already!?! I’m still missing winter break ❄️😎 Sheesh!!

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For many, the holidays are a time to come together with loved ones, express gratitude, and spend money.

The pressure to feel and share constant cheer isn't easy for everyone.

Grief, illness, depression, anxiety, financial stress, or simply not resonating with the holidays can make this season difficult. If that's you, know you are not alone, and we see you.

Meet Dom Langness, XFoundation Community Advocate, who found light during the holidays, exhibits how to reflect on who around us might be carrying unseen pain, and offers gentle coping tools while navigating holiday blues, for yourself and someone you love 💜

💬 If you're comfortable sharing:
What's one thing that has helped you get through the holidays?

Also, be sure to check out Dom's holiday blues playlist:
💫 That's No Way to Get Along – Robert Wilkins
💫 Georgia Moon – Shakey Graves
💫 My Present Just Gets Past Me

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Today, 12/9, is Colorado Gives Day! 💜

Since November, XFoundation has certified hundreds of middle and high school students in NARCAN training, along with staff at local foster care programs.

The future is bright, but there is still a lot of work to do, and together we’re reducing fentanyl poisoning in our community.

Every dollar matters today. Your donation helps us expand lifesaving education and continue creating positive change.

💡 What is Colorado Gives Day?

This event, organized by the Colorado Gives Foundation, is a 24-hour statewide giving period where donations go even further thanks to the "Incentive Fund." Each participating nonprofit receives a share of this fund based on its share of total funds raised during the event, so your support truly multiplies!

Donate to XFoundation at the link in the bio ⬆

Thank you for helping us protect and empower our community 💜

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Elections remind us how policy shapes our lives long after the votes are counted. 🗳️

This week’s Scholar’s Corner blog, “DEA Drug Scheduling: How Drug Policies Shaped the Opioid Crisis,” explores how the DEA’s drug classification system influences prescribing practices, treatment access, and public health outcomes.

With illicit drug use and fentanyl-related poisonings on the rise, questions continue to surface about how substances are categorized. For instance, cannabis remains a Schedule I drug, while fentanyl is listed under Schedule II, a distinction that highlights the complexity of balancing medical use, risk, and policy.

We appreciate Melissa for her thoughtful contribution to this important discussion. Read the whole piece in our bio 💜

What are your thoughts on how policy shapes health outcomes? Tell us below. 👇

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Today, we want to shed extra light on our heroes for National First Responders Day 🚒🚓🚑

Every October 28th, we pause to honor the brave men and women who run toward danger to keep our communities safe. Our firefighters, police officers, EMS providers, dispatchers, and the list goes on.

This Scholar’s Corner feature by Mikaela Davison, M.A., LMHCA, sheds light on the occupational hazards, mental health challenges, and substance-related risks faced by those who protect us daily. Her work reminds us that caring for first responders’ well-being is a matter of national security and social responsibility.

Today and every day, we express our deepest gratitude to all who serve on the front lines. Thank you for your courage, sacrifice, and resilience.

Read more in Mikaela’s piece “Occupational Risk to Fire, Police, & EMS – Occupational Hazards, Co-occurring Disorders, and Substance Coping” (link in bio).

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The 2nd Annual Ball4X tournament was a slam dunk success 🏀💜

Congratulations to this year’s champions:
🏆 XFoundation team @dylan_trues, @aidantruesdell, @david_tapia25, @cchatman13
🔥 Ball4X MVP, @phili_music_

In addition to the 3x3 competitive tournament, XFoundation offered an on-site Narcan certification, equipping our community to save a life 💜

We’re beyond grateful to our sponsors, @brasstapcos,
Janna Mulder, and @pinecreekdental, for making this event possible!

And HUGE shout out to our allies, @coachbeso4real, @don.rickrick, our own @ttrudgg, and to every player, volunteer, and fan who brought their energy and love to the court. You are what makes Ball4X unforgettable.

Keep moving, learning, and lifting each other up. See you next year for round three! 🏀❌💜

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Sleep is supposed to heal. But what happens when nightmares blur into reality?

In today’s blog, associate licensed therapist Rachel Wilborn, M.A., LMHCA, explores the dangerous connection between fentanyl, nightmares, and suicide. Fentanyl doesn’t just poison the body; it disrupts sleep, fuels nightmares, and increases the risk of despair.

On Suicide Awareness Day, we remember to know the warning signs, reach out to people you love, and know you’re not alone 💜

If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Read the full blog at the link in our bio. Thank you for contributing this insightful article, Rachel 💜

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Tomorrow we’re bringing together some of the leading voices in fentanyl prevention, policy, and harm reduction.

Join us for the Fentanyl Prevention, Policy, & Progress panel, hosted by XFoundation, where we’ll hear from:

✨ Junaid Mohiuddin, Co-Founder of Defense Diagnostics Inc.

✨ Jessica Breemen, Chief Growth & Impact Officer & Interim Executive Director at DanceSafe

✨ George Gerchow, representing XFoundation

Together, we’ll discuss what’s working in fentanyl prevention, how new tools and policies are shaping the future, and whether the recent decline in fentanyl-related deaths marks a real turning point. Plus, you’ll have the chance to get NARCAN certified live so you can be ready to save a life.

📅 Tuesday, August 19
⏰ 12–1 PM MT
💻 Virtual
Registration link in bio 👆

See you there!

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We're sending a huge THANK YOU to our incredible friends Dar and @mikewarmouth, owners of @brasstapcos, for being Platinum Sponsors of Ball4X two years in a row 💜

Their ongoing support helps fuel our mission to end fentanyl poisoning and save lives right here in our community.

Mike and Dar run one of the best local hangouts in town—just down the road from Bass Pro Shops in COS—where they’re serving up an unbeatable craft beer selection and top-tier lunch specials 🍻🍔. Whether you're refueling after a game or just grabbing a bite with friends, @brasstapcos is the place to be.

Speaking of games... 💥
Think you’ve got what it takes to compete with the best?

Register for our competitive bracket and take on semi-pro teams like @colorado_realm and @denver.dynasty! 🏀🔥

Hit the link in our bio to register/sponsor!👆

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