PUBLIC HEALTH CAMPAIGN PRESS RELEASE

I led the communications for the launch of the Anti 27 Club, a bold public health campaign developed by SMASH in partnership with Public Health – Seattle & King County. This press release introduced a harm reduction initiative targeting substance use and overdose in the music community, reframing the toxic mythology of the “27 Club” and centering health over heroics. I crafted messaging that was culturally aware, stigma-reducing, and urgent—positioning the campaign not as moralizing, but life-saving. The release helped elevate a free Narcan training event on International Overdose Awareness Day and drove attention to new resources created for venue owners, musicians, and the wider music industry.

ANNOUNCING THE ANTI 27 CLUB

Musicians Access to Sustainable Healthcare (SMASH), a nonprofit organization that connects free and low-cost health services to Puget Sound area musicians in partnership with King County Public Health launches the Anti 27 Club, a drug and alcohol harm reduction public health campaign targeted at the music industry.

Under Embargo - August 1, 2022 10:00 AM - Seattle, WA - Drug and alcohol use is pervasive within with rock n’ roll music. Some experts believe musicians may be predisposed toward depression and anxiety, coupled with the fact that making a career out of music is becoming exponentially more difficult, and it being one of the only industries that normalizes and even methodigizes substance use, it makes sense musicians are suffering from mental health and substance use issues at substantially higher rates than the general public. This public health campaign utilizes a harm reduction approach aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use and to serve as a pathway to addiction recovery services for those that are interested.

“The origins of this campaign come from the concept of the ‘27 Club’ a cultural phenomenon that mythologizes popular musicians that die at the age of 27, most of which are from overdose and suicide. We believe that mythologizing these artists' drug use is harmful to musicians by creating a belief that in order to create their best works they have to use drugs or leave mental health struggles untreated. We know this is not true. At SMASH our goal is to help keep musicians healthy so they can thrive creatively. The Anti 27 Club is meant to not only provide resources for our community but to also start a conversation about long held beliefs in regards to substance use and its link to creativity. It’s not about absolute sobriety, it is about saving lives and keeping people healthy.” Said Nikki Barron, Communications & Outreach Manager at SMASH.

On August 31, 2022 (International Overdose Prevention Day) SMASH and Public Health - Seattle & King County are hosting a free 3-hour Overdose Rapid Response Workshop at South Park Hall from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm to equip venue owners and staff, event

producers, and other industry professionals with the knowledge and tools to spot and respond to a fentanyl overdose, the leading cause of drug overdose in King County which saw an over 40% increase in overdose deaths in 2021. Each attendee will walk away with a free Overdose Rapid Response kit that includes step-by-step instructions, 2 doses of Narcan, event and venue signage, and a Fentanyl Test Strip dispensers provided by Fantastipak and Public Health - Seattle & King County.

“International Overdose Awareness Day is a great time to learn about the risk of overdose and how to respond. As overdose deaths continue to rise, we hope to increase knowledge in the community and reduce the stigma associated with substance use and addiction.” Says Mandy Sladky, Advanced Practice Nurse Specialist in Substance Use Disorders, of Public Health—Seattle & King County.

This campaign is funded in part by Public Health - Seattle & King County with in-kind donations from Fantastipak, Abbey Arts, and NW Polite Society. Free resources and more information can be found at Anti27Club.com

ABOUT SMASH

SMASH (Seattle Musicians Access to Sustainable Healthcare) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping our music community healthy and thriving by providing access to primary care, dental services, mental health therapy, vision and hearing screening and services for working musicians with limited incomes in King, Snohomish, Pierce, Mason, Kitsap and Thurston counties. www.smashseattle.org

MEDIA CONTACT

Nikki Barron

Communications & Outreach Manager at SMASH 206.512.0060

Nikki@SMASHSeattle.org