Harm Reduction & Drug Policy
Baltimore officials love a good drug bust, but they can be deadly for drug users
Mayor Brandon Scott and law enforcement officials touted the takedown of a drug trafficking organization. The busts may not be a good thing for those who use drugs in Baltimore.
What does Mayor Scott's proposed budget mean for harm reduction in Baltimore?
Mayor Brandon Scott's budget will undoubtedly impact harm reduction efforts in Baltimore. The truth is, however, it's not entirely clear how — but there is definitely room for improvement.
Concerns arise over fed funding in Baltimore opioid restitution board's first meeting
Baltimore's new Opioid Restitution Advisory Board held its first meeting this week. Like many others, its members had federal funding cuts on their minds.
As Trump ramps up drug war, there's one bill local harm reductionists loved to see fail
A bill being considered by the General Assembly would fan the flames of the drug war in Maryland — and its likely death is crucial in the current political landscape.
OPC and ‘paraphernalia’ decrim bills miss key deadline in Maryland
The bills have failed to gain traction in the Democrat-controlled legislature despite ardent support from public health experts and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott.
Baltimore's open-air drug market problem is a 'public nuisance' it helped create
In this week's Redux Newsletter, it's important to set the record straight on open-air drug markets — why they're here and how they're addressed.
Cash rules everything in cities' responses to the OD crisis
For this week's Redux Newsletter, I spent seven hours in a courtroom listening to pharma bro lawyers defend massive opioid distributors — and survived.
Harm reductionists flood Annapolis to push for drug policy reform
For this week's Redux Newsletter, I spent a whole day shadowing harm reduction advocates in Annapolis. They're a rowdy bunch.
Baltimore harm reduction orgs fear funding cuts, ramped-up drug war under Trump
“All of the moves this administration is talking about implementing spell death for the people we serve,” said Candy Kerr, spokesperson and policy advocate for the Baltimore Harm Reduction Coalition.
Maryland lawmakers renew push for overdose prevention centers
A bill that would legalize overdose prevention centers will soon be scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee, and a companion bill will be introduced in the House.
Mobtown Redux wants to hear your stories about drugs
Whether you're an active drug user or someone in recovery, I want to hear from you.