Team Awareness Combating Overdose (TACO)

What Team Awareness Combating Overdose (TACO) does

TACO Inc. (Team Awareness Combating Overdose) is a 100% volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2020 at the University of Southern California and headquartered in Los Angeles. The organization's stated mission is to combat accidental drug overdoses among college students and young adults (ages 18-25) through peer-to-peer education and free distribution of harm reduction supplies, principally fentanyl test strips, methamphetamine test strips, and Narcan (naloxone). TACO operates a digital drug education platform delivering neutral, science-based content on drug interactions, overdose response, purity testing, and addiction, authored by undergraduate students and reviewed for scientific accuracy, complemented by Instagram and email newsletter distribution.

The organization's go-to-market is community-led and event-driven. Distribution is executed through 9 campus chapters across 8 states, 29 distribution zones in 16 states, a Duffl 7-day delivery partnership serving USC and UCLA, and on-site presence at large events such as Coachella. TACO also refers users to LA County health clinics (Wilshire Dental, David Geffen Center, Gleicher/Chen, Long Beach, APLA Health) and operates alongside nonprofit and academic partners including Song for Charlie, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Shatterproof, and USC Mann School of Pharmacy. The organization claims to have prevented over 1,500 student overdose deaths since launch, and was the first student initiative in over a decade to achieve zero student overdose deaths at USC in 2020-2021.

TACO generates no product or service revenue; all harm reduction supplies are provided free to end users. Operating funds come from individual donations (via Donorbox), foundation and government grants (managed by a Director of Grants), and event-based fundraisers (e.g., a 2021 bingo event raising $1,618). Revenue is not publicly disclosed. The organization maintains a 13-person executive leadership team for 2026-27 and a broader network of 290+ student volunteers and 200+ chapter volunteers nationwide, with no paid staff.

Name

Team Awareness Combating Overdose (TACO)

Legal name

Team Awareness Combating Overdose (TACO) Inc.

Website

https://tacoinc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

TACO Inc. is a 100% volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit that distributes free fentanyl test strips, Narcan, and science-based drug education to college students and young adults across 16 U.S. states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Harm Reduction Services

akta.pro primary industry

Substance Use Recovery & Harm Reduction Support Services (BPAGAEAO)

Keywords

• Harm reduction supplies
• Drug safety education
• Fentanyl test strips
• Overdose prevention services
• Youth drug awareness

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations (Individual): TACO accepts individual donations via Donorbox. The organization is a 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit, making donations tax-deductible. A 2021 bingo fundraiser raised $1,618 to cover the cost of 2,311 fentanyl test strips.
2. Grants: TACO has a Director of Grants (Ayati Mishra), indicating the organization pursues grant funding from foundations and government agencies to support operations and distribution of harm reduction supplies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

TACO Inc. is a 100% volunteer 501(c)(3) charity that combats accidental drug overdoses among college students and young adults by providing subsidized harm reduction supplies (fentanyl test strips, methamphetamine test strips, and Narcan/Naloxone) and a digital drug education platform with peer-reviewed, science-based content. All supplies are distributed free of charge to end users through campus chapters, partner organizations, music festival activations, and last-mile delivery.

Product overview

TACO Inc. is a 100% volunteer 501(c)(3) charity offering a harm reduction product portfolio centered on subsidized drug testing supplies and a digital drug education platform. The core offerings include Fentanyl Test Strips and Methamphetamine Test Strips for detecting dangerous contaminants in recreational drugs, combined with Narcan (Naloxone) for overdose reversal. These physical products are complemented by a comprehensive Drug Education Platform providing scientific, neutral information about various substances, drug mixing safety, overdose prevention, and addiction awareness. The organization distributes these supplies to college students and young adults across distribution zones in 16 states, with campus chapters in 8 states, aiming to combat accidental overdoses through peer-to-peer education and accessible harm reduction tools.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fentanyl Test Strips Test strips that detect the presence of fentanyl in recreational drugs (cocaine, MDMA, Xanax, etc.) using a simple water dissolution method. Users dissolve a small drug sample in water and dip the strip; results appear within minutes. Distributed free to students and young adults to prevent accidental opioid overdoses.
• Methamphetamine Test Strips Test strips that detect methamphetamine contamination in recreational drugs. Used alongside fentanyl test strips to provide comprehensive drug safety testing for users concerned about stimulant adulterants.
• Narcan (Naloxone) Opioid overdose reversal medication distributed as part of TACO's harm reduction toolkit. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that can reverse opioid overdoses, including those from fentanyl, and has no negative side effects if administered to someone not experiencing an opioid overdose.
• Drug Education Platform Digital educational platform providing neutral, scientific data about drugs through articles, infographics, and resources. Covers topics including drug purity testing, mixed use safety, overdose prevention, addiction awareness, and substance-specific harm reduction guidance. Content is authored by undergraduate students and reviewed for scientific accuracy.

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Song for CharliecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSong for Charlie is a nonprofit focused on drug safety education. TACO lists Song for Charlie as a partner organization, suggesting alignment on harm reduction education and distribution initiatives.
• Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChildren's Hospital Los Angeles is a major pediatric medical institution. TACO's partnership with CHLA likely provides clinical credibility and referral pathways for harm reduction services in the LA region.
• Los Angeles County Public Health — Substance Abuse Prevention and ControlcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLA County Public Health's Substance Abuse Prevention and Control division has referenced TACO in its harm reduction programming. This partnership provides public health credibility and access to distribution infrastructure.
• ShatterproofmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerShatterproof is a national nonprofit focused on reversing the opioid addiction crisis. TACO lists Shatterproof as a partner, suggesting shared mission alignment on overdose prevention.
• USC Mann School of PharmacycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe USC Mann School of Pharmacy provides academic and scientific support to TACO. As the organization was originally founded at USC, this partnership provides research credibility and access to pharmacology expertise.
• Dopa.geminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDopa.ge (associated with Good Samaritan Hospital) is listed as a TACO partner. The nature of the partnership appears to be aligned around harm reduction and overdose prevention resources.
• DufflcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDuffl is a delivery service that TACO uses to deliver free fentanyl test strips to the USC and UCLA communities 7 days a week. This partnership enables last-mile distribution of harm reduction supplies to students.
• Wilshire Dental Clinic (Downtown LA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTACO refers users to Wilshire Dental Clinic as a location to obtain free fentanyl test strips in the Downtown Los Angeles area.
• APLA HealthminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTACO refers users to APLA Health's Olympic location (Miracle Mile/Carthay Circle) as a distribution point for free fentanyl test strips.
• The David Geffen Center (Koreatown)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTACO refers users to The David Geffen Center in Koreatown as a location to obtain free fentanyl test strips.
• Gleicher/Chen Health Center (Baldwin Hills)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTACO refers users to Gleicher/Chen Health Center in Baldwin Hills as a location to obtain free fentanyl test strips.
• Long Beach Health CenterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTACO refers users to Long Beach Health Center as a location to obtain free fentanyl test strips.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Shatterproof: Shatterproof is a large national nonprofit addressing the opioid addiction crisis through advocacy, treatment access, and harm reduction. Listed as a TACO partner, it is a broader incumbent operating in the same overdose prevention space with significantly larger scale and resources.
• Drug Policy Alliance: The Drug Policy Alliance is a leading national organization promoting drug decriminalization and harm reduction policy reform. It is a broader incumbent that overlaps with TACO on fentanyl test strip advocacy and harm reduction policy goals.
• National Harm Reduction Coalition: The National Harm Reduction Coalition is a leading US harm reduction advocacy and capacity-building organization. It is a broader incumbent that overlaps with TACO on fentanyl test strip distribution and drug education, with deeper policy reach.

Direct peers

• NEXT Distro: NEXT Distro is a nonprofit that mails free Naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and harm reduction supplies directly to people who use drugs. It is a direct peer in the mail-based harm reduction supply distribution model, overlapping with TACO's Duffl partnership.
• DanceSafe: DanceSafe is a nonprofit that distributes fentanyl test strips, adulterant screening kits, and drug education content targeting nightlife and festival attendees. It is a direct peer to TACO with overlapping product portfolio and harm reduction mission.
• End Overdose: End Overdose is a nonprofit that distributes Naloxone and fentanyl test strips, and provides overdose response training. It targets similar demographics (young adults, college students) and uses a similar community/peer distribution model, making it a direct peer.
• Remedy Alliance / For The People: Remedy Alliance is a national network that distributes free Naloxone and harm reduction supplies to local programs. It is a direct peer in harm reduction supply distribution, operating a parallel model to TACO's chapter-based distribution.
• Song for Charlie: Song for Charlie is a nonprofit focused on drug safety education targeting young adults through music and social media channels. Listed as a TACO partner, it shares overlapping mission, demographic, and educational content approach.
• Students for Sensible Drug Policy: SSDP is an international student-led nonprofit advocating for drug policy reform and harm reduction on college campuses. It shares TACO's student-volunteer model and campus chapter infrastructure, operating in overlapping cause areas.

Emerging players

• Brave Cooperative: Brave Cooperative is an emerging harm reduction technology nonprofit providing digital tools for overdose prevention and drug checking. It is an emerging player with overlapping harm reduction mission but a more technology-focused approach than TACO.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/tacoinc_
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tacoinc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Team Awareness Combating Overdose (TACO)