Antonia Sawyer

Consumer Advocate

After working closely with rural communities in their fight to gain access to the lifesaving medication Naloxone, Antonia quickly realized that there were substantial barriers preventing access; which resulted in what could have been avoidable overdose deaths, and she wanted to do her part in changing that. That is when her passion and drive collided, and she made it her mission to create zero barrier access to Naloxone. Antonia was innovative in her approach to remove stigma, transportation, financial and time barriers faced by those seeking Naloxone, and built a training platform via social media that anyone in Indiana could access 24/7 to gain free online training in how to recognize and respond to an overdose using Naloxone, free Naloxone and free shipping to their home. After gaining support from the IRA and fundraising to cover shipping cost, she was able to provide the opportunity for so many families, who previously did not have access to Naloxone, the lifesaving tool they needed to save their loved ones life. While Antonia works diligently to ensure Naloxone is available for all who request it through #ShipHappens, she also seeks to empower those within the communities she serves, who too want to have a local impact. Antonia has spent time researching and developing tool-kits and fact sheets to provide guidance on how to become a Naloxone distributor and how to advocate for the services so many communities need. Antonia also forwards grant opportunities, powerpoint materials, and any other tools she may have that community members may need to be successful in their efforts; in or outside of Indiana! Having lived experience around SUD and the impact it can have on a family is what has driven Antonia to work toward no family having to worry about whether or not they are going to have the Naloxone they need to save their loved ones life. In almost two years, #ShipHappens has grown into a nonprofit organization that is known for specializing in mail based Naloxone distribution across Indiana. #ShipHappens has served families from across 2/3 of Indiana counties, and successfully recieved nearly 300 kits reported used in response to overdose. As this nomination gets written, the participants of #ShipHappens continue to voice the impact the program has had on them and their communities- Hear from participants below, some of the many words of thanks they have #ShipHappens. "ShipHappens has taken a necessary step up in our great state to help educate and provide Hoosiers with the tools necessary to promote harm reduction and save lives. I had become discouraged with some of the policies and leadership in Indiana regarding it's dying and sick citizens who have been overlooked for too long. Discovering ShipHappens has given me motivation to be part of the solution to this epidemic. Antonia is nothing short of a hero for the many lives she has saved and will continue to change." "ShipHappens cares about people! They are providing a much-needed service, and it is done in a loving and compassionate way. From naloxone to test strips, contact ShipHappens and see how they will be willing to help you help others!", "Naloxone should have been this available years ago and a lot more lives could have been saved in the midst of this epidemic." "Such a great cause. Antonia and her organization couldn’t have made it easier to offer assistance to those who need it. If you know someone who needs this, send them her way! #NarcanFairy." "I do recommend ship happens, they're saving lives of overdose victims and giving hope to their friends and family." "So helpful!! Thanks so much for jumping to help plus pointing me in the right direction."