FILE PHOTO: A package with naloxone next to End Overdose flyers on April 19, 2023 (Emi Ambory/CU Independent)
A student collapsed to the floor at a concert and immediately received Naloxone nasal spray, saving their life. Gigi Montgomery administered the dose, staying with them until the paramedics arrived. Luckily, the victim was accompanied by the End Overdose president.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, in the U.S., about 200 deaths daily are due to synthetic opioid overdoses, the leading cause of death for adults aged 18 to 45. End Overdose at the University of Colorado Boulder aims to decrease that number through medical intervention, public awareness and education.
The CU End Overdose club is one of the nonprofit’s over 50 chapters across the country. Since joining, Montgomery has educated thousands of community members, equipping them with the resources to save lives.
Originally from Denver, Montgomery experienced the loss of multiple friends to drug overdoses throughout high school and into college.
“Losing people made me want to be the change and prevent others from going through that,” she said.
When she was a freshman, Montgomery had never heard of End Overdose until winning a giveaway they hosted on Instagram. Now a third-year strategic communications major, Montgomery leads as the club’s president.
Montgomery presents training to groups such as organizations, classrooms, festivals, outside the barber shop and to anyone who will listen. She plans to present to her ‘Drugs In U.S. Society’ class in December.
The organization fights the common notion that its work glorifies addiction by bringing attention to it. They emphasized that overdose can impact anyone, from an elderly person overestimating their medication dose to a child who grabs something off the street.
“We’re not for or against it. We’re very neutral,” Montgomery said. “We just don’t want people to die.”
People have approached Montgomery at numerous events with stories of saving lives using Naloxone, reassuring her of the impact she’s making.
Her presidency accompanies involvement in the Up&Up club, a college festival competition against other schools across the country, and a part-time serving and bartending job.
As the youngest on the executive board, she acts as a liaison between the nonprofit’s headquarters and her chapter, among other work. Her passion runs so strong that finding time for school can be difficult.
Montgomery’s effort has not gone unnoticed. Mia Ramundo, third-year director of public relations for the club, met Montgomery through their vice president. The two became fast friends.
“[Montgomery] is like superwoman,” Ramundo said. “That girl has so much on her plate and handles it like a boss.”
Interested in joining a new community, Ramundo became involved after End Overdose presented to her sorority. She later took on the executive position and works alongside Montgomery with admiration.
“She’s so self-sufficient. She loves what she does and she loves being president. It’s her driving force that keeps her going,” Ramundo said.
Montgomery oversees the End Overdose team along with its headquarters and campus advisors. She carries out anyone’s job that isn’t done by the end of the day, and has the final say in all club decisions.
Montgomery’s mother, Alice Bauer, highly admires her involvement, despite the sacrifices she must make to fulfill the role.
“I think she probably could use more things in her life that are just for her, quiet down time to create the balance,” Bauer said.
When she does get time to herself, good music and a hike are all Montgomery needs. She keeps Naloxone with her at all times, knowing it could be the difference between life and loss any day.
CU students may find Naloxone at multiple locations across campus. Some include Wardenburg Medical Center, the CU Collegiate Recovery Community, Counseling and Psychiatric Services, Office of Victim Assistance, Recreation Center and Residence Life, and the AED stations. Naloxone is also provided in every residence hall.
“You really never know when you’ll see it happen,” Montgomery said. “I’m prepared every single day of my life.”
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Gianna Solari at Gianna.Solari@colorado.edu
