Midwest Harm Reduction Institute

A Powerful New Drug Is Creating a ‘Withdrawal Crisis’ in Philadelphia Medetomidine, a veterinary sedative, mixed into fentanyl has sent thousands to hospitals, not only for overdose but for life-threatening withdrawal. It is spreading to other cities.

Start 2024 by going back in time with NHRC's Lighthouse Learning Collective! Join Lighthouse on Jan. 12 for "Q***r History of Harm Reduction Part 2," happening from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. EST. The session will be recorded and have live ASL interpretation. Register today: bit.ly/LLSeries4

As if we need yet another reason to end this war on people and instead provide safe access & supplies toward less harm & risks in self and community care. When if not now? What more will it take? Compassion & care could be the hallmark fingerprints of humanity & solutions, and end violence & judgment.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/07/health/fentanyl-xylazine-drug.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&fbclid=IwAR0Q28biKOx1ZJsd34mapilb34firR6wcdxQQQgzcaB08uLVkIilwT90wM8&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

Tranq Dope: Animal Sedative Mixed With Fentanyl Brings Fresh Horror to U.S. Drug Zones A veterinary tranquilizer called xylazine is infiltrating street drugs, deepening addiction, baffling law enforcement and causing wounds so severe that some result in amputation.

https://www.inquirer.com/health/opioid-addiction/supervised-consumption-site-opioid-overdose-crisis-new-york-philadelphia-20230103.html?fbclid=IwAR3qChFDls1dexK-RXKTekNHS9VYVXnqJH_lzbtPfJ2m0GA3kxGPnDw4oEs&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

New York’s supervised injection sites have halted nearly 700 overdoses in just over a year Since last November, New York’s sites together have served more than 2,100 people using drugs nearly 50,000 times. No one has died there.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CmpTdgoPmEb/?igshid=Zjc2ZTc4Nzk=

We know harm reduction works. However, when it comes to implementing these practices into mainstream culture, researchers want to take a closer look. The NIH is launching a harm reduction network to implement and research the results of several harm reduction strategies across the country. Researchers will be closely monitoring the effectiveness in preventing drug overdoses and other adverse outcomes, along with sustainability, and levels of community engagement. Do you think this research signals a potential for bigger harm reduction programs down the line? Let us know!👇

https://harmreduction.org/news/dope-sro-project/

A Peer-Led Initiative Leads Overdose Prevention & Response Within Supportive Housing The DOPE SRO (single-resident occupancy) initiative created in 2020 and expanded in 2021 addresses the rising number of opioid-related overdoses by people who use drugs and live alone.

Opinion | Codependency Is a Toxic Myth in Addiction Recovery Love doesn’t enable addiction.

The Story You’ve Heard About Cities and the Drug Crisis Is Wrong Calling San Francisco and other places “failed” cities for liberal policies is bad journalism. At worst, it exacerbates harm.

The Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot provides cash relief to residents impacted by COVID-19. 5,000 households will be selected by random lottery to receive $500/month for 12 months. Visit chicago.gov/cashpilot for eligibility requirements and to apply.