Media
Kit
Founded by rae bloom
Rae Bloom (they/he) is a queer and trans industrial designer, self-proclaimed 'design activist' for their innovative approach to addressing pressing social issues. A native of Atlanta, Rae's journey into design began with a deep passion for ceramics, leading to the establishment of their first business, One Wheeled Pottery, after leaving high school early.
Immersing themselves in Atlanta's vibrant drag community, Rae recognized the potential of design to tackle unmet challenges, particularly in the realm of harm-reduction. This realization inspired their work on Nalopack, a solution aimed at addressing barriers to on-body carry of naloxone, a nasal spray critical for reversing deadly overdoses.
While pursuing their degree in Industrial Design at Georgia Tech, Rae came up with the idea of Nalopack during a class project in Fall 2023. Their dedication and vision attracted a dynamic team including Mars Lovelace, Kendra Garcia, El Pimentel, and Professor Abigale Stangl catalyzing Nalopack's transformation from a student concept to a viable startup.
In 2023, the leading cause of death for 18-45 year olds in the US was fentanyl overdose. 60% of those deaths could have been prevented if the people nearby had naloxone, a nasal spray that can reverse a deadly overdose. Last year in atlanta over 400 doses of naloxone were given over just 4 days at a music festival. Ambulances normally can’t deliver these doses. After just 3 minutes, your friend might be in cardiac arrest. Our healthcare services aren’t stopping overdose, so our communities must.To prevent more deaths by overdose, people in our communities have to start carrying naloxone. Many people don't know what naloxone is, and if they do, they likely know about its strong associations to drug use. Even if they got past the stigma and want to carry naloxone, it can easily be crushed if it's just thrown into a pocket.
Nalopack, our award-winning crossbody bag, boldly equips people to take community protection into their own hands, providing rapid access to the life-saving drug naloxone while challenging stigma through its uncompromising design.
The vertical zipper panels with neon green pull tabs allows rapid access to opioid antagonists in overdose emergencies, with high visibility for quick retrieval. The rigid molded panel protects and securely holds opioid antagonists, ensuring their integrity even in dynamic environments like festivals. Built-in instructions assist users in identifying and responding to overdoses, enhancing confidence and preparedness in low-light situations. The securement elastic strap with a pull tab prevents accidental spills or loss of medication during movement.
The crossbody design facilitates easy and comfortable carrying, ensuring the medication is readily accessible during activities. The reflective strap enhances safety by making the user more noticeable in crowded or dimly lit environments, while also showcasing the presence of the opioid antagonist carry. The inner pocket for additional accessories further enhances utility by providing space for fentanyl test strips, condoms, and other harm reduction accessories, promoting safer drug use practices.
Each feature of Nalopack is tailored to meet the demands of carrying opioid antagonists effectively, ensuring preparedness, accessibility, and safety in overdose situations while also promoting comprehensive harm reduction practices.