UConn Students Take Action Against the Opioid Crisis in Connecticut: Discover the Impact of the Adopt a Health District Program

The Adopt a Health District (ADOPHD) Program gives students valuable internship experiences to help Connecticut communities tackle the opioid crisis. “It empowers students to feel they can make a difference,” says Peaches Udoma, program coordinator.

Launched in 2021, the program was made possible by a grant from the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. It started small, with just two interns, but by the 2024-25 academic year, it grew to 10 interns with plans to include even more next year.

Interns dive into various tasks related to the opioid epidemic. They learn how to use Narcan, a medication that can reverse overdoses, and educate others about the risks of fake pills and safe medication disposal. Two interns collaborate in each health district, covering locations like New London and West Hartford.

“The districts gain fresh ideas from students eager to make a change,” Udoma explains. “It’s a win-win for everyone involved.” While the primary focus is on Pharmacy students, interns come from various programs, including public health, contributing diverse perspectives.

Jill Skowrenski, who guides student placements, emphasizes the importance of varied experiences. “Students get to explore different areas of healthcare, allowing them to connect classroom learning with real-world applications,” she says.

For instance, Eva-LaRue Barber, an AHS student and EMT, interned at the Chesprocott Health District. She worked on understanding overdose data and hosted Narcan training sessions. “It was interesting to see how community-based prevention strategies can be effective,” Barber notes.

During her internship, Barber produced a video for the program’s YouTube channel, making training accessible to more people. “It helped reach those who couldn’t attend our sessions,” she adds. Barber plans to continue her involvement as a student coordinator while pursuing research at Yale.

The program not only focuses on addressing immediate health concerns but also encourages teamwork and collaboration among students. “Success in today’s world is about working effectively with others,” Udoma points out. “That’s a critical skill we develop through a team-based approach.”

Looking ahead, Udoma and Rickles hope their program might serve as a national model, suggesting that if students across the country engage similarly, they could create substantial change in the ongoing fight against the opioid crisis.

This initiative aligns with CAHNR’s goal of enhancing health and well-being on local and national levels, showing how collaborative education can make a real impact.

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