Report on the Kristin Kosiewicz Substance Abuse Awareness Scholarship and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

This report details the 2025 recipients of the Kristin Kosiewicz Substance Abuse Awareness Scholarship, administered by the Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation (LAPSF). It analyzes the program’s significant contributions to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The scholarship serves as a critical local initiative for raising awareness of substance abuse and preventing accidental overdoses, directly aligning with global health and education targets.

Scholarship Background and Objectives

Established in memory of Kristin Kosiewicz, a 1993 Los Alamos High School graduate who died from an accidental drug overdose, the scholarship is now in its fourth year. Its primary objective is to increase awareness of the dangers associated with substance abuse and accidental overdose. Applicants are required to submit an essay reflecting on the impacts of substance abuse, prevention strategies, and harm reduction, thereby fostering critical thinking on a key public health issue.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being

The scholarship’s core mission directly supports SDG Target 3.5, which aims to strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse. The program contributes to this goal through several mechanisms:

• Prevention through Awareness: By engaging young adults in a dialogue about the risks of substance abuse and gateway substances, the scholarship acts as a preventative educational tool.
• Harm Reduction Education: The essay prompts encourage students to consider and articulate thoughts on harm reduction, a key strategy in minimizing the negative consequences of drug use.
• Destigmatization: The initiative fosters a compassionate approach to substance use disorders, encouraging a shift from stigmatization to support, which is crucial for effective public health outcomes. As noted by the organizers, student essays consistently reflect a desire to treat individuals with substance use issues with more compassion.

Contributions to SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

The scholarship provides a direct pathway to achieving SDG 4 by enabling access to higher education and SDG 10 by reducing financial inequalities for its recipients.

1. Promoting Quality Education (SDG 4): The scholarship provides essential financial assistance to students pursuing post-secondary education. The 2025 awards support students entering fields such as psychology, physics, biology, and criminal justice, empowering a new generation of professionals equipped to address complex societal challenges.
2. Reducing Inequalities (SDG 10): By awarding financial aid, the scholarship reduces economic barriers to higher education, providing opportunities for students to achieve their academic and professional goals regardless of their financial circumstances.

Fostering Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17) and Inclusive Societies (SDG 16)

The success of the scholarship is a testament to effective collaboration, a cornerstone of SDG 17. The initiative represents a powerful partnership between:

• The family of Kristin Kosiewicz (Stan Kosiewicz and Amy Anderson)
• The Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation (LAPSF)
• The wider community of donors

This collaborative model demonstrates how local action can address global challenges. Furthermore, by promoting an informed and compassionate community response to substance abuse, the program contributes to building more inclusive and just societies, in line with the principles of SDG 16.

2025 Scholarship Recipients

The Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation announced four recipients for the 2025 award cycle. The selection recognizes their insightful contributions to the discourse on substance abuse awareness.

1. Sophie Bathrick-Price: Awarded $4,000. Will attend the University of New Mexico to study psychology.
2. Samuel Carmer: Awarded $2,000. Will attend New Mexico Tech to major in physics.
3. JoyMei Lincoln: Awarded $2,000. Will attend New Mexico State University to major in biology and criminal justice.
4. Malaika Philip: Awarded $2,000. Will attend the University of California Davis to study psychology.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

The Kristin Kosiewicz Substance Abuse Awareness Scholarship is a profound community-based initiative that effectively integrates public health awareness with educational support. Its alignment with SDGs 3, 4, 10, 16, and 17 highlights its role as a model for sustainable development at the local level. The family has expressed that the program has been a healing process and that its final year will be 2026. The impact of this initiative is expected to endure, having shone a light on a critical issue and empowered students to become advocates for health and well-being in their communities.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  This goal is central to the article, which focuses on the issue of substance abuse and accidental drug overdose. The Kristin Kosiewicz Substance Abuse Awareness Scholarship was established in memory of someone who tragically lost her life to an overdose. The entire initiative is aimed at preventing similar tragedies, thereby promoting health and well-being among young people.

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The article addresses this goal through the mechanism of the scholarship itself. The scholarship supports four students in their pursuit of higher education. More importantly, the application process, which requires an essay on substance abuse, its impacts, prevention, and harm reduction, serves as an educational tool to increase knowledge and awareness among young adults graduating from high school.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  This goal is demonstrated by the collaborative effort described in the article. The scholarship is made possible through a partnership between private individuals (Kristin’s family), the broader community (through donations), and a civil society organization (the Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation). This multi-stakeholder partnership works together to achieve the shared objective of raising awareness and supporting students.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.

   The article directly aligns with this target. The scholarship’s stated purpose is to “increase awareness of the dangers of accidental drug overdose” and to explore “prevention strategies.” The essay prompts require applicants to reflect on how to prevent young adults from the dangers of substance abuse, which is a core component of strengthening prevention.

2. Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles…

   The scholarship application process is a direct effort to ensure learners (high school graduates) acquire knowledge about a critical issue affecting their well-being and ability to lead healthy, sustainable lives. By writing essays on the negative impacts of substance abuse and prevention, students are educated on a topic crucial for their personal safety and health.

3. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

   The article provides a clear example of this target in action. The scholarship is a partnership between Kristin’s family (private individuals), community donors, and the Los Alamos Public Schools Foundation (a non-profit civil society organization). The article highlights that “generous donations have made the continuation of the scholarship possible,” showcasing the resourcing strategy of this partnership.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicators for Target 3.5:

  While the article does not provide official statistical data, it implies indicators for measuring progress in prevention efforts. An implied indicator is the number and reach of awareness initiatives. The scholarship itself, now in its fourth year, is a tangible initiative. The goal to “prevent other families from experiencing the tragic loss of a child” points to the ultimate indicator of reducing mortality from drug overdose.

• Indicators for Target 4.7:

  Progress towards this target can be measured by the number of students participating in the educational program (i.e., the number of scholarship applicants). The article also implies a qualitative indicator: the level of understanding and insight demonstrated by students. The comment that the family was “moved by the honesty, compassion, and insight reflected in all of the submitted essays” suggests an assessment of the knowledge acquired by the learners.

• Indicators for Target 17.17:

  The article provides indicators for a successful partnership. The first is the existence and continuation of the multi-stakeholder partnership itself (family, community, and foundation). A second, more concrete indicator is the value of financial resources mobilized through the partnership. The article specifies the scholarship amounts awarded ($10,000 in total for 2025) and mentions that it is funded by “generous donations,” which can be quantified.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ladailypost.com