June 1, 2021

National Harm Reduction Coalition creates spaces for dialogue and action that help heal the harms caused by racialized drug policies.

+ NEWS: Arizona formally authorized syringe service programs! Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed a bill making the state one of the last in the country to decriminalize SSP. Learn more about the decision from AZ SSP Sonoran Prevention Works in Filter and donate to SPW to support their work on the ground!

+ HEALING CIRCLE: Join Center for Political Drug Education and NHRC for The Asian American Drug War Healing Circle. This 4-part series starting June 30th is an intergenerational space for Asian Americans to deepen their understanding of and heal from the War on Drugs and problematic drug use through political education, storytelling, and skills building. This is not an advocacy space or a recovery space, but a space for healing, open honest conversation, & community building. Learn more and RSVP by June 10th here.

+ NEWS: From Drug Policy Alliance — “Congress just reintroduced the MORE Act, a bill that will end federal marijuana prohibition. This is the only comprehensive marijuana bill in Congress that leads with social justice.” Voice your support of the bill here.

+ PRIDE: Happy Pride month from National Harm Reduction Coalition. Stonewall was a riot! All queer liberation is tied to the liberation of trans people who use drugs. 

+ EVENT: Yesterday marks 100 years since the Tulsa Race Massacre, today is the beginning of Pride month, and tomorrow is International Whores’ Day. Join New York Transgender Advocacy Group, Decriminalize Sex Work, and others for this 3 day event, Tulsa 100 Remember Activate Heal.

+ RESEARCH: The Naloxone Delivery Cascade: Identifying Disparities in Access to Naloxone Among People Who Inject Drugs in Los Angeles and San Francisco, CA — Study of 536 people who inject drugs in SF and LA that identifies race and class disparities for people who use drugs in accessing naloxone. 

+ PODCAST: "Feeling there were no spaces specifically for translatinas, trans sex workers, and HIV-positive trans women, Lorena began creating these spaces in her own apartment, and eventually with organizations across Queens and the rest of New York City."  Listen to this new Latino USA podcast episode and celebrate the life and legacy of Lorena Borjas.

+ ICYMI: Missed last week's webinar on dismantling racism and colonialism through drug policy reform by Harm Reduction International & others? Watch it here. 

+ CONFERENCE: The Black Sex Worker Collective presents the first annual Black Sex Workers Conference, June 17-19. Learn more here!

+ EVENT:  June 10th - Don't miss NHRC's Monique Tula and Laura Guzman at the Stigma of Addiction Summit: a half-day, virtual, action-oriented summit entirely dedicated to understanding, addressing, and eliminating the harmful impacts of stigma on people who use drugs. More info and RSVP here.

+ RESOURCE: Do you want to start a harm reduction program in your area? Many people still have limited or no access to naloxone or syringe service in their communities. Review this set of resources from NHRC to learn more about what it takes to start a program. 

+ NEWS: MAT in Prisons and Jails Passed the Senate! “We're excited this bill passed—it's been a long time coming, will save countless lives, & end the practice of forcing people into inhumane withdrawal!" - Hiawatha Collins, NHRC Harm Reduction Community Mobilization Coordinator and board member/leader with VOCAL-NY’s Users Union. Read more here.

+ NEWS: California's AB 1344 moves to the Senate! Celebrate and share the news by retweeting!

If you support emergent and exciting work at National Harm Reduction Coalition, please join our community of monthly donors, the Harm Reduction Champions!

+ National Harm Reduction Coalition — Native Health Training: Harm Reduction & Overdose Prevention Consultant RFP

+ Benedict Center in Milwaukee, WI - Director of Operations

Hiring? Send us a note about open positions in harm reduction to [email protected] to have a job post shared here.