CLAY SOPER MEMORIAL FUND

Teen fatality due to prescription drug misuse is rising. In addition to the recreational misuse of prescription drugs, teens who suffer from stress and depression turn to prescription drugs to self-medicate. There is also an alarming increase in deadly overdoses from fentanyl among young people. Teenagers unknowingly purchase Fentanyl-laced prescription pills on the street and through social media. The documentary program “If They Had Known” educates and empowers our young people with life-saving information. In the 35-minute film, we share the story of Clay Soper's tragic, accidental death at 19 from mixing prescription drugs with alcohol. The film, combined with the Program Toolkit, catalyzes peer-to-peer discussions about the risks surrounding the recreational misuse of prescription drugs.  

The film recounts the last night of Clay Soper's life. On July 18, 2015, Clay Soper and his teenage friends gathered for a house party. They were ready for a typical night of fun. During the party, Clay and some other partygoers mixed Xanax with alcohol. For Clay, it was a lethal mixture that caused his respiratory system and heart to stop. No one at the party knew combining prescription drugs with alcohol could be fatal. "If They Had Known" is not about drug addiction or substance abuse. It’s an honest account of a death that shouldn't have happened. The life-saving message comes from Clay's friends and peers, not actors. The takeaway is genuine and impactful. The documentary, combined with the Program Toolkit, provides teens with information that could save their life or the life of a friend.