Harm Reduction in Action: CHSU Overdose Prevention Committee Participates in Fresno’s 21st Annual SoberStock Fest

Written by Esmeralda Menjivar, OMS-II, OPC Community Outreach Sub-Chair 

On Saturday, September 26th, 2026, The CHSU Overdose Prevention Committee (OPC) provided harm reduction education during the 21st Annual SoberStock Fest at Eaton Plaza in Fresno, California.

The community gathered to celebrate individuals in recovery while enjoying a car show, local food vendors, and opportunities to connect with support organizations.

The committee’s efforts at the event were led by Esmeralda Menjivar, OPC Community Outreach Sub-Chair; Natalie Boone, External Education Sub-Chair; and Denna Hadipour, Internal Education Sub-Chair. They were joined by student volunteers from the California Health Sciences University College of Osteopathic Medicine (CHSU-COM), who helped educate and engage with attendees throughout the day.

The CHSU OPC representatives provided interactive training on recognizing the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose, administering intranasal naloxone (Narcan), and using fentanyl test strips to help identify substances that may contain fentanyl.

Through these efforts, the team connected with people from across the Central Valley, including residents of local recovery homes, individuals celebrating long-term sobriety, concerned parents, and young community members whose families shared that they are frequently exposed to environments where substance use occurs.

Capturing the deep sense of care and responsibility shared by so many attendees, one mother shared her motivation for learning how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose:

“I pray that I never have to use this, but if something like this ever happens to my son, I want to be prepared.”

CHSU OPC’s participation in SoberStock Fest emphasized the importance of equipping community members with the knowledge and resources needed to respond during an opioid overdose.

By pairing compassionate, judgment-free education with free access to intranasal naloxone (Narcan) and fentanyl test strips, the CHSU-COM medical student volunteers and OPC sub-chairs continue to meet Valley residents where they are, transforming awareness into immediate action and fostering a safer, more supportive network across Fresno.

This is one of many community outreach efforts that continue to reflect CHSU’s mission to improve health care outcomes in the Central Valley by preparing future health care professionals to educate, support, and serve the region’s diverse communities.

To learn more about the CHSU Overdose Prevention Committee and its community outreach efforts, contact SOMA-OPC at soma-opc@chsu.edu, follow @CHSU_OPC on Instagram, or explore additional OPC articles.