Gauchos for Recovery

August 31st is International Overdose Awareness Day.
It is a day to remember without stigma those we have lost to overdose, acknowledge grief of those left behind, and take action toward ending the overdose epidemic.

Gauchos for Recovery will be hosting an overdose prevention kit distribution from 2-4 PM on Wednesday 8/31, outside Embarcadero Hall.
Free Naloxone/Narcan and fentanyl test strips will be available for any member of the UCSB community.
There will also be a tribute wall for people to write names/tributes to anyone lost to overdose.
If you are unable to make the event and would like us to post someone's name and/or a statement about them on the tribute wall, please email [email protected]

Syringe Exchange is available in Isla Vista every other Friday! Read the post for details!

July SEP Dates + Times:

Santa Maria:
Every Wednesday
2-3:30 pm or while supplies last*
Location: Town Center Mall | 200 Town Center E
Dates: July 6, 13, 20 and 27

Santa Barbara:
Biweekly on Tuesdays
10 am-1 pm or while supplies last*
Location: Carrillo Castillo Lot | 400 W Carrillo St
Dates: July 5th and 19th

Isla Vista:
Biweekly on Fridays
12:30-2:30 pm or while supplies last*
Location: Community Room | 970 Embarcadero Del Mar
Dates: July 8th and 22nd

Questions? Send us a DM or email TJ at [email protected]!

Congrats to Pak and Nicki Foley! GFR Alums, Class of ‘17

Apply on Handshake!
Overdose Prevention Intern: Job #6425851
Recovery Peer Intern: Job #6426325

Great article about opioid use and overdose prevention in Isla Vista, highlighting the efforts of Gauchos for Recovery!

WORD | Issue 44 WORD Magazine Fall 2021 Issue 44 Isla Vista Arts & Culture Magazine

In one hour!

Free Streaming Concert Tonight for National Recovery Day!

In honor of International Overdose Awareness Day, carry Naloxone and be part of the solution. Email [email protected] to request a free overdose prevention kit.

Deterra works by using activated carbon to deactivate drugs so that they can safely be thrown in the trash. It can be used for pills, powders, liquids, creams, and transdermal patches. Use it to safely dispose of any unwanted drugs/medications to prevent diversion and also to protect the environment!
Thank you and Deterra for providing these kits for us to distribute in our community!

Happy Collegiate Recovery Day! Thank you to our awesome GFR supporters who wore purple today!

Celebrate students in recovery by wearing purple on Thursday 4/15! Use the hashtag

Check out this great article by an SBCC student in recovery.

Trauma in childhood, substance abuse led to fulfilled life as nurse I didn’t become a nurse until I was 50 years old. Not because I had children to raise or other obligations to fulfill; I was busy being drunk, stoned and lost. I was born with something called strabismus, or “cross-eyed” as the neighborhood kids called me. I had three surgeries to try to strai...

New meeting schedule for Spring quarter!

Congrats to the new Labor Secretary, the first Cabinet member in U.S. history to be openly in 12-step recovery from addiction.

Perspective | Having someone with alcoholism in the Cabinet reminds us that recovery is never over As labor secretary, Marty Walsh will show what’s possible if you take it one day at a time.

Wondering about Demi Lovato’s comment that she is “California Sober”? Read our thread and let us know your thoughts!

Tomorrow Night! Open to UCSB, SBCC, and any interested community members. Special guests from Pacific pride Foundation will be sharing more info about drug checking and HIV prevention.

GFR is organizing a toiletries fundraiser to serve the community of houseless folx living in Isla Vista! If you have any unopened, packaged toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, soap, toothbrushes, SOCKS, etc., please feel free to donate - every little bit helps! We will be setting up donation boxes at Student Family Housing and Graduate Student Housing apartments this weekend! You can also DM us if you have supplies that need to be picked up! 💛

Today we honor Pastor Cecil Williams. Pastor Williams wrote the book “No Hiding Place,” which describes the groundbreaking and life-changing recovery programs he founded at Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco.
Thank you to Cecil Williams for being a recovery pioneer!

Thanks to our partners at Pacific Pride Foundation and the Youth Opioid Response grant, we are able to offer Fentanyl Test Strips through Gauchos for Recovery. FTS can detect if fentanyl is present in your drugs. Carry these with your Naloxone in case you or someone you know might decide to use. Harm Reduction Saves Lives.

Follow us as we celebrate Black History month and honor the many black individuals who have contributed to the recovery movement. Black History is American History.