Marissa Knapp, Broome County Overdose Prevention Director

“This Is a Human Issue”

Marissa Knapp, Broome County Overdose Prevention Director

What does it take to lead on an issue that divides communities, breaks hearts, and rarely makes the evening news unless someone dies?

In this week’s Community Catalysts, Marissa Knapp offers a rare glimpse into the front lines of local leadership in the face of the overdose crisis. As Director of Overdose Prevention for Broome County, New York, she leads a coalition of more than 100 community partners—law enforcement, hospital administrators, public school leaders, grassroots advocates, grieving families, and people in recovery—all committed to saving lives.

But shared purpose doesn’t mean easy agreement.

Marissa talks openly about what it’s like to build trust where there's history, disagreement, and pain. She shares how she navigates stigma, handles public criticism, and keeps people at the table—even when emotions run high and progress feels slow.

This conversation is about leadership that doesn’t give up. It’s about persistence, empathy, and the quiet kind of courage that keeps communities moving forward.

Listen now to “This Is a Human Issue” with Marissa Knapp, Broome County Overdose Prevention Director.

Because local leadership isn’t just about making policy.

It’s about making space—for real people, real pain, and real solutions.