501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization

Keeping Injured Student Athletes Opioid Free

Injured student athletes come first at TAFFOA. We champion non-opioid alternatives for pain management and a drug-free return to sport — so an injury never has to become an addiction.

50%Athletes in high-injury sports are 50% more likely to abuse opioids for pain management
4Core programs: student athletes, recovery, research, and family support
100%Of your donation goes toward research, education, and emergency care
Our First Priority

An Injury Should Never Become an Addiction

For too many young athletes, the road to opioid addiction begins with a sports injury and a prescription. Studies show that participants in high-injury sports are 50% more likely to abuse opioids for pain management.

That's why injured student athletes are the heart of everything TAFFOA does. We partner with non-opioid alternative companies and work alongside athletic trainers, schools, and health networks to put drug-free pain management directly into the hands of the young people who need it.

  • Non-narcotic pain management during the healing phase
  • Partnerships with schools and athletic trainers
  • Education for athletes, parents, and coaches
  • A drug-free return to the sport they love
"If you can prevent somebody from ever turning to opioids, you can prevent them from getting addicted."
— Chaz Jannuzi, as featured on CBS News Pittsburgh
In the News

See Our Mission in Action

CBS News Pittsburgh covered how drug-free pain treatment is reaching student athletes across western Pennsylvania.

CBS

Company Creates Device To Treat Pain And Heal Injuries Without Use Of Prescription Drugs

CBS News Pittsburgh reports on pocket-sized, drug-free pain treatment technology placed with athletic trainers at 28 Pittsburgh-area high schools — helping young athletes recover without ever turning to opioids.

Read the Story →
Who We Are

Our Mission & Vision

The American Foundation For Opioid Alternatives exists to keep injured athletes opioid free, stop addiction before it starts, and help those already affected reclaim their lives.

Our Mission

We focus on our youth by offering student athletes non-narcotic alternatives for pain management during the healing phase after sports injuries — preventing opioid dependency before it can ever begin.

Drug addiction is commonly correlated with a lower socioeconomic status, and therefore, a lower earning potential. It is the mission of TAFFOA to make drug testing and education available to the public through any means necessary.

Our Vision

TAFFOA aims to be a center point for charitable contributions and impact investing. Standard donations are missing the impact component — we direct funds into community-based education programs and medical relief packages for those in need of post-surgical equipment and services.

Our goal is to reduce or eliminate opioid usage and create local community programs that help rehabilitate individuals back to their pre-opioid lifestyles.

What We Do

Four Ways We Make an Impact

Injured student athletes come first — and our work extends to research, families, and communities affected by opioids.

🏅

Support Student Athletes

TAFFOA believes in keeping student athletes opioid naive. By partnering with non-opioid alternative companies, TAFFOA supports a drug-free return to sport after injury.

🔬

Support Research

TAFFOA supports and syndicates research programs to test opioid alternatives for both chronic and acute orthopedic injuries.

👪

Support Families

TAFFOA is dedicated to providing resources to families of injured patients by providing equipment and pro bono services.

🤝

Support Recovering Addicts

Through rehabilitation programs, TAFFOA financially supports recovering addicts — helping them regain their way of life without the financial burden.

Leadership

Board of Directors

CJ

Chaz Jannuzi

Board of Directors
JH

Joe Hermann

Board of Directors
SD

Sarah Dickinson

Board of Directors