Healthy Community Initiative

This past semester, St. Olaf students partnered with the Rice County Chemical and Mental Health Coalition (RCCMHC) through St. Olaf College’s Civic Engagement Center, examining how exposure to substance misuse-related incidents influences perceptions of individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs). Specifically, students explored whether this exposure shapes empathy and willingness to support or participate in wellness programs in the community.

Who We Heard From

The survey reached 86 respondents, including St. Olaf students, members of the Mobile Opioid Support Team (MOST), followers and advocates of RCCMHC, and members of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Northfield. Although convenience sampling has limitations, the findings provide valuable insights into local attitudes.

Key Findings

One of the most striking results was the connection between education and empathy. Participants with prior health training or who had taken educational courses on the causes of addiction reported significantly greater empathy toward people with substance use challenges. This empathy translated into practical support, such as:

• Advocating for increased funding for Rice County community health services
• Supporting free access to safety and wellness supplies
• Being more willing to financially or physically assist someone experiencing an overdose

Interestingly, simply knowing someone with a substance use challenge or in long-term recovery did not significantly correlate with greater empathy. Education and broader community awareness mattered more than personal familiarity alone.

The study also found that perceptions of community support matters. Participants who believed their community was generally supportive of overdose prevention and safety programs tended to show higher empathy and a stronger willingness to dedicate resources toward community health programs.

Where Narcan Could Make a Difference

Respondents identified a wide range of locations in Rice County that would benefit from free Narcan availability, including:

• Hotels, motels, gas stations, and transit stops
• Local restaurants, bars/clubs, and liquor stores
• Smoke shops, movie theaters, and college health centers/dorms
• Schools (St. Olaf, Carleton, and local high schools)
• Laundromats, youth centers, public libraries, and parks
• Drug stores, shelters, clinics, and rehab centers
• All public buildings and educational facilities, especially downtown near bars

Voices From the Community

Thoughtful feedback was received, highlighting both progress and ongoing challenges:

• “From my experiences, the younger generations seem to be more accepting and helpful toward addiction resources, whereas older folks don’t like to talk about it or when they do it’s in a negative manner.”
  
• “Overdose prevention and safety programs have proven effective in reducing the number of fatal overdoses in Rice County. Programs including the Mobile Opioid Support Team have been instrumental in increasing awareness and reducing barriers to recovery.”
  
• “I carry Narcan in my bag and proudly wear an ‘I carry Narcan’ pin. I get so many positive comments about it and many people asking where they can get one. If more people see it, the more it’s normalized.”
  
• “I think a part of funding toward health services should also go to educating young adults about what to do in these life-or-death situations.”
  

Looking Ahead

This project underscores the importance of education, community support, and visibility in shaping empathy and willingness to participate in safety-focused programs. By continuing to promote awareness, provide accessible resources, and normalize conversations about substance use, Rice County can foster a more supportive environment for individuals with SUDs and those working to prevent overdoses.