MADDIE WARD
A conversation with Maddie Ward — COO of End Overdose and enc0re community member — about EO’s mission, Sky Ferreira’s return, and her favorite shows of the year.
Interview // Cameron Bunge
This conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Hi Maddie! Good to see you. Can you please introduce yourself for the people?
Can you tell me a little bit about exactly what End Overdose does?
Maddie // Of course, yea! So End Overdose is a nonprofit based in LA, doing work across the country. Our mission is to end drug-related overdose through education, public awareness, and medical intervention. Through our website (endoverdose.net), we provide additional trainings and ship resources like naloxone and test strips to individuals nationwide.
We provide trainings on preventing and responding to overdoses at events and distribute resources like naloxone to attendees. This year, we attended over 850 events, and we currently have 68 chapter locations in 28 states.
You were in the UCLA chapter, yea?
Maddie // Yes. I co-founded it when I was a sophomore and became really involved throughout my time at UCLA. Eventually, I moved into a full-time role after graduating.
I think we were the 2nd chapter, and in the past few years we’ve grown really rapidly. Pretty much all of it has been organic. Students especially have been very excited about getting involved.
Why are college campuses a focus for End Overdose?
Maddie // Unfortunately, being personally impacted by overdose is something that has become more common for the past few generations. Overdose death has remained the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-44 for many years, so I think there is an inherent level of awareness and care that individuals have for the work we do.
One of the main ideas behind the chapter program is to have at least a few people in a lot of places educating others on the importance of learning how to prevent and respond to overdose-related emergencies. Providing a level of education and awareness at a relatively young age helps normalize prevention and response practices but also generally the practice of looking out for others and trying to help or get help when you can.
Carrying naloxone has already become a lot more normalized, hopefully like 10 years from now it be even more so.
If someone goes through a training, what are the most important things you teach them to prevent overdoses?
Maddie //
Test anything purchased outside of a pharmacy. We provide fentanyl test strips at most of our chapter locations. On endoverdose.net you can order a free pack of test strips directly to your door after completing a quick training.
Carry Naloxone — You can also get naloxone from our chapters, End Overdose event booths, or our website.
Just be aware of the people in your surroundings. Make sure people are happy and healthy :)
Amazing. Again, think y’all are doing incredible work.
If you’re interested in learning more, or applying to volunteer at events, you can find more info at the link below.
https://endoverdose.net/get-involved/volunteer/
So, I know in addition to college campuses, you’re very active in the music scene. Do you personally go to a lot shows?
Maddie // I think I’ve been to 7 festivals this year and idek how many shows. Not all for work though.
What were some of your favorites this year?
Maddie // Honestly one of my favorite sets I went to recently was GRiZ. I don’t even love dubstep that much, but it was SOO FUN and all my friends were super into it so the energy was insane. And I love lasers.
When and Where?
Maddie // Cow Palace in San Francisco. My dad grew up around there and when I told him I was going he was like “no way, I saw U2 there”, and I was like “I’m seeing GRIZ there.”
Kinda like our generation’s U2.
Maddie // I sent him some songs, but he was not a fan. He replied back “where guitar?”
But anyway, I drove up from LA with a few friends the morning of the show. We basically got there, checked into the hotel and went straight to the venue. The whole night was so fun. So hot, so sweaty. It felt so PLUR. It was so PLUR. I love shows like that.
You say you’re not really that into dubstep though?
Maddie // I wasn’t like at all before I joined END OVERDOSE but we’re really active in that scene and so I started going to a lot of shows and honestly it’s so fun. I can see like pretty much any artist and still have fun with them.
I’m going to see TAPE B soon in LA with the same group of people I went to the GRIZ show with. I wasn’t sure about it but then they sent me videos of the lasers and I was like ok I’ll do it.
Any other standout shows from the year?
Maddie // Just Like Heaven. So unexpectedly good. This was my second time working it and the first year I just like worked but this year I stayed. Vampire Weekend was headlining, I love them. Their music reminds me of being happy.
A distant memory?
Maddie // No, just I feel like I never listen to them unless I’m in a really good mood. It was just a very nostalgic festival. GROUPLOVE also played. Slowdive too.
Very millennial!
Maddie // Yea it was lowkey crazy, but like no one had their phones out, everyone was dancing, it was good.
The best part of the weekend was seeing Rilo Kiley. I think “Let Me Back In” was my favorite song I saw live this year. It’s about leaving LA and coming back, and LA feels so much like my home now it was so good I was like crying.
Who were some artists you were really into this year outside of those you’ve already mentioned? Top artists of the year?
Maddie // I won’t tell you all of them, but Cameron Winter was on there.
Do you think he’s an industry plant? Be for real.
Maddie // Nah, the industry couldn’t make a plant like that if they tried.
I’m undecided… I briefly saw him at CFG a few weeks ago but left halfway through their set to see fakemink which admittedly may have been a mistake. I think it’s my lowest rated show on enc0re… what’s yours?
Maddie // No comment. Don’t wanna get cancelled.
Unfortunate... Was dying to know.
Do you have any good stories about meeting artists at shows?
Maddie // I didn’t actually meet her but I saw Smerz recently and she brought out Sky Ferreria, which was really cool.
Damn. She’s back?
Maddie // She’s back! I think she’s back. I was lowkey freaking out.
I would too.
Are there any shows coming up that you’re really excited for?
Maddie // I just bought a ticket for Lightning in A Bottle - really excited for that.
Have you been before?
Maddie // This will be my first time! This is actually the first festival ticket I’ve ever bought… but I think it’s like my 14th or 15th festival.
Ok, flex.
Maddie // Yea but I’m so excited. I just love shows. Plus I am like obsessed with Mau P. I love him so much so I like have to go. Non-negotiable.
Okay lastly, what are some of your favorite venues in LA? Where should the people be hitting on their nights out?
Maddie // Hmmmmm. I love an outdoor venue. This might be controversial, but I love the Greek Theater, I love the Hollywood Bowl. They feel so like “damn I’m in LA” also love a grungy downtown spot but honestly I don’t even know the names of any of them. Address TBA?
Love. Thanks for the time — looking forward to seeing your index from LIB!
[ POV // MADDIE WARD ]
Some of Maddie’s favorite pics she’s taken at shows.
_boy genius @ Re:set_ [06042023]
[maddieward]
// enc0re
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHTFEB 27, 2026
