ST. PAUL, Minn. – Students across Minnesota’s public colleges and universities will soon have more access to a life-saving tool, thanks in part to one grieving brother determined to prevent more loss.
Will Rops lost his older brother, Justin, to fentanyl poisoning. He shared his story in a recent Grieving Out Loud podcast episode
“Justin was a star athlete in high school. He was really, really good at math, and just overall a very kind and compassionate individual,” Will said.
Will was just 19 when his brother died. Not long after, he became involved in Student Senate at Minnesota State University Moorhead—and quickly noticed a dangerous gap in campus safety.
“They didn’t have any requirements for universities to stock naloxone,” Will said. “That to me was a giant oversight. College-aged kids are so vulnerable to opioid use. It’s a time when you’re experimenting, trying new things. It’s a new environment that leaves students vulnerable.”
Naloxone is a medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Determined to make a change, Will began lobbying state lawmakers to require it in student housing across public universities and colleges.
His efforts paid off. During this year’s legislative session, lawmakers passed the bill, making Minnesota the third state in the country to require naloxone to be stocked in residence halls.
For Will, the policy change is personal and healing.
“Obviously my grief is never going to go away. Grief is something that lasts forever, but it’s definitely helped,” Will said. “The thought that constantly pops into my head is that Justin would be very proud of the work I’m doing.”
