This weekend, harm reduction lost a pillar of our community – Mark Kinzly.
Mark had that rare and magical combination of compassion, love, and intense sense of justice for people who use drugs. He was a person whose warmth and kindness could be felt from across a virtual or actual room – he was always generous with his time and spirit. Mark had a way of making people feel good, feel heard, and feel as if they were not alone. He was deeply committed to harm reduction for over three decades. He embodied harm reduction – accepting and loving people wherever they were and however they showed up. Mark was a board member of the National Harm Reduction Coalition for 20 years. He brought wisdom, accountability, and a big heart to the Board. In typical Mark fashion, he made everyone feel supported and respected, and ensured that decisions that were made best served people who used drugs. His gentle kindness and embracing love will be deeply missed.
Beyond his role on the Board, Mark was a passionate advocate and source of support for NHRC staff. At the drop of a hat he’d be there to offer guidance, mentorship, and encouragement. Mark would never turn down a request to be connected with new folks coming into harm reduction who could benefit from his knowledge and was a frequent panelist and partner for our capacity building work. This included sharing his own story of trauma, substance use, and healing in the most humble and affirming way so that folks felt comfortable connecting with him. Mark was also a pioneer on caring for and developing harm reductionists skills to support crack cocaine users during the height of the AIDS epidemic, and many of us grew up using Mark's knowledge and harm reduction materials to support crack smokers and injectors in the United States and abroad.
We are hurting and heartbroken to have lost him so prematurely. We wish him all the peace and rest that he has always deserved.
Rest in Power, Mark.
We are working with Mark's family and friends on memorial arrangements and an opportunity to celebrate him with colleagues from across the country in a virtual setting is being planned. More details will follow soon.
On behalf of the Staff and Board at NHRC
We are also encouraging folks to add to this statement with their favorite memories and pictures of Mark. We want as many people as possible to know the impact he had on this world. Please go to our social media posts and share your memories there on Instagram and Facebook.
