Harm Reduction & Drug Policy
Baltimore's harm reduction movement doesn't back down — but a larger coalition must form
Harm reductionists have joined the city's Opioid Restitution Advisory Board in fighting to ensure that a windfall of funds from opioid lawsuits is allocated in the best interest of those who use drugs. More Baltimoreans must show up.
As Baltimore battles overdose crisis and hosts East Coast’s largest addiction conference, harm reduction practices shine
Harm reduction has only grown in popularity in the U.S. and internationally — on the same day as the conference in Baltimore, roughly 1,000 people attended the Harm Reduction International Conference in Bogotá, Colombia.
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.
Baltimore’s first overdose response chief endorses OPC and safe supply
Sara Whaley praised the important work being done by the city’s existing harm reduction infrastructure. However, she emphasized there is more that can be done to save lives.
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.