The Needle and the Narrative

On this episode of The Needle and The Narrative, Marc and Raymond sit down with Challenges Inc SC program manager Kris Stepp. Kris has been around the Challenges Inc ethos for several years and has helped it grow to what it is today. We are grateful to have him back on the team and providing drug user health in South Carollina. Visit www.challengesinc.org to learn more about harm reduction in South Carolina. Visit www.smokeworks.org for safer smoking supplies. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

On this episode, we highight Challenges Inc SC staff Lysandra Ryan. Lysandra has a wealth of lived experince and Harm Reduction work. We sit down to learn more about her as a person and what keeps her showing up every day. To learn more about harm reduction work in South Carolina visit www.challengesinc.org To learn more about the MAP program for safer smoking supplies visit www.smokeworks.orgBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

This is a segment from an old converstation with local clinic physician Dr. Quang Pham in 2023. Dr. Pham was willing to create a fast track for clients coming from our SSP to his clinic for primary care, addiction medicine, and HCV treatment and did so outside of the usual systemic confines that regulate medicine and community partnerships. Dr. Pham has since moved away from the area but his presence here is missed. In this sit down we discuss MAT/ MOUD, what makes treatment low barrier, and other restrictive practices that often put provider liability over patient well-being. Learn more about the harm reduction work Challenges Inc SC is doing in South Carolina at www.challengesinc.org. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

In this episode Raymond interviews the founder and director of Challenges Inc SC, Marc Burrows. We cover the history of Challenges Inc, the reasons for starting the first syringe service program in South Carolina and learn about parts of the journey since then. Special thanks to Counter Narrative Project for their support to lift up this work. https://thecounternarrative.org/To learn more about harm reduction in South Carolina and to support Challenges Inc, visit: www.challengesinc.org https://www.facebook.com/ChallengesIncorporated/#https://www.instagram.com/challenges_incBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Episode 4 of the four part series funded by the Counter Narrative Project. Carrying the story forward; lived experience, leadership, and harm reduction. Come along as we discuss idenity, substance use, HIV, sex work, housing, and fighting healthcare stigma. Raymond Velazquez-Turner is a public health leader and harm reduction advocate working with the Western North Carolina AIDS Project and Challenges Inc SC. Raymond's work centers on outreach, HIV testing, overdose prevention, and client centered harm reduction strategies that address HIV transmission, stigma, and structural barriers faced by underserved communities. This series was supported by the Counter Narrative Project out of Atlanta, Georgia. Learn more about CNP by visiting https://thecounternarrative.org/This podcast is hosted by Challenges Inc SC, a syringe services program in South Carolina. Visit https://challengesinc.org/ to learn more about our work. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

The Needle and the Narrative, episode 3 of the new series with support from the Counter Narrative Project. We'll be digging into how substance use, HIV risk, and LGBTQ+ identity intersect, along with the barriers folks face in accessing affirming care and harm reduction services. Nathaniel Bush is the author of two books; one of original poetry that addresses themes of sex, love, spirituality, addiction, friendship, harm reduction, and politics, and another that caught the attention of The Advocate Magazine, where he was featured following the tragic Pulse Nightclub Shooting in Orlando, FL. We'd like to thank The Counter Narrative Project for their support with making this podcast series. To learn more about CNP visit: https://thecounternarrative.org/To learn more about Challenges Inc SC and the harm reduction work happening in South Carolina, visit: https://challengesinc.org/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

The Needle and the Narrative; Episode 2 – “Not a Statistic: BIPOC Health & Harm Reduction” We examine how systemic racism and health disparities heighten HIV risk for BIPOC communities, and uplift culturally responsive approaches and grassroots health interventions.Thank you to the Counter Narrative Project for making this series possible.Margaret Denise Bordeaux (she/her/hers)Margaret has studied sociology, psychology, public health, prevention science, communityhealth, justice-involved care, and healthcare administration. Margaret’s career and academicinterests and areas of focus include community-based approaches to health and wellness,implementation science, and building healthcare service capacity for all. Professionally,Margaret has provided direct care services, clinical research coordination, staff supervision,program coordination, curriculum development, protocol and manual design, andworkshop/meeting facilitation at the local, statewide, and national levels. In her work,Margaret, an empowered thinker and speaker, consistently demonstrates a willingness tocritically explore current practices, thoughtfully collaborate, and develop promising strategies.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Michael Harney from Western North Carolina AIDS Project (WNCAP).Intersecting Stories: HIV, Drug User Health, and Vulnerable Communities.This four-part series aims to amplify the voices of communities impacted by HIV, while exploring the role of harm reduction in addressing health disparities. Each episode focuses on a different vulnerable population, combining lived experience, expert perspective, and a discussion of the systems and policies that shape health outcomes.Episode 1: Rural Communities & HIV, which highlights the specific challenges faced by people who use drugs in rural settings—such as limited access to care, stigma, and criminalization.Shout out to the Counter Narrative Project for making this series possible. https://thecounternarrative.org/For more information on harm reduction in South Carolina, visit www.challengesinc.orgBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Zach Rhoads joins the Challenging Pathos podcast to discuss all things "out of the box", when it comes to treating addiction. Why do we do the things we do? Why don't we follow the evidence? and What's the cost? Zach and Stanton Peele co authored the book "Outgrowing Addiction, With Common Sense Instead of Disease Therapy" which disputes the disease concept of addiction and more. You can purchase the book at https://www.peele.net/bookstore/outgrowing.htmlLearn about South Carolina harm reduction at www.challengesinc.orgBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

In this episode, we speak with Haven Wheelock from Portland, OR on the historic passing of "Measure 110" that decriminalizes personal drug possession in the state of Oregon. www.outsidein.org/health-services/needle-exchange/www.challengesinc.orgBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Garth Mullins, host of the astounding "Crackdown" podcast shares his perspective on drug user issues from his home in downtown Vancouver's Eastside. We discuss the recent drug policy changes with Mississippi's medical cannabis bill and decriminalization in Oregon. Garth shares his experience with how illegal syringe exchange helped keep him safe in younger years. Learn more about Garth at https://crackdownpod.com/. To help harm reduction in South Carolina stay alive, please visit www.challengesinc.orgBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

On this episode we discuss different types of advocacy and intra agency growth. Greg Huckins is a peer-support specialist working for a recovery community organization as a member of the SBIRT team in the local hospital emergency department. His role is to help guide individuals through the beginning stages of recovery. JoAnna Vance is a person in long-term recovery from substance use disorder and is the region lead for the Recovery Advocacy Project in West Virginia. https://www.recoveryvoices.com/https://challengesinc.org/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Chase Holleman, LMSW, is a person in recovery from substance use disorder who advocates for medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and works as Program Director for the syringe services program at UNC Greensboro in North Carolina. Chase is well known for his recent TedTalk, where he describes his experience in the war on drugs. https://youtu.be/UYtucOa_aJs This podcast is powered by Challenges Inc, syringe services program in South Carolina. Learn more about harm reduction in the south at www.challengesinc.orgBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Alex Elswick, PhD joins the show to discuss stigma, shame, and using recreational substances in recovery from substance use disorder. Alex holds a Master’s Degree in Family Science from the University of Kentucky and is a person in long term recovery. He is a cofounder of Voices of Hope. https://www.voicesofhopelex.org/www.challengesinc.orgBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Casey Dillon is an experienced digital communicator, specializing in leveraging real-time trends and long-term strategy to develop successful advocacy and communications campaigns. She also serves as the Program Director for Advocates for Opioid Recovery, where she manages communications, media relations and grassroots advocacy efforts to break down barriers to evidence-based addiction treatment.References:https://curastrategies.com/https://www.opioidrecovery.org/https://www.mentalhealthforus.net/www.challengesinc.orgwww.apphemp.com use PROMO CODE "TAP15"Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Mike Todd joins TAP today to discuss the latest advocacy efforts happening in South Carolina. Mike has worked hard to bring legitimacy to recovery housing and is an active voice for the Recovery Advocacy Project in SC. You can follow Mike at www.freedomrecoverycenterofgreenville.org and www.recoveryvoices.com. This episode also celebrates 200 overdose reversals for Challenges Inc, a South Carolina syringe services program. Learn more at www.challengesinc.orgBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

MAT advocate and harm reductionist, Riley Koyote from Athens G.A. joins The Addictive Podcast to discuss the latest progress surrounding these topics in Georgia. Riley also runs https://athensqueercollective.org/ and works at https://www.accesspointga.org, providing syringe access to Athens. Vist www.apphemp.com for hemp and CBD products you can trust. Learn more about harm reduction in the south at www.challengesinc.orgBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Founder of End It For Good, Christina Dent joins us to discuss the challenge of implementing harm reduction strategies in conservative places. She is well known for her TedX Talk in Jackson, Mississippi and other appearances in the drug policy reform movement. Learn more about her work at www.enditforgood.com. Support this podcast and harm reduction in South Carolina at www.challengesinc.orgBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Executive Director of RecoveryATX, Jenna Sheldon joins the podcast to discuss the importance of recovery oriented language and how stigma exists even within our own recovery communities. Visit www.recoveryatx.org to learn more about Jenna's work. Visit www.challengesinc.org to see what's happening with harm reduction in South Carolina.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Former White House staffer and national recovery advocate, Ryan Hampton talks about federal and state funding for recovery support services, the need for syringe services, and the future of decriminalization. Join Ryan in the fight and learn how you can make a difference at www.mobilizerecovery.org. Visit www.challengesinc.org to support SC syringe services.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Mike Malone is the Program Manager at FAVOR Greenville, a recovery community organization in Upstate, S.C. We discuss common challenges in the addiction recovery space including HIPAA, peer-support boundaries, and stigma/shame inducing habits of the treatment industry. Learn more about Mike's work at www.favorgreenville.org. Learn about syringe services and harm reduction at www.challengesinc.org. Vist www.apphemp.com for high quality hemp and CBD products, grown in the Appalachian Mountains. Use promo code "TAP15" for 15% off.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

David Johnson is a criminal justice organizer with Grassroots Leadership in Austin, TX. We discuss racial inequality during the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd and the global Covid19 pandemic. Email David at [email protected] and visit http://grassrootsleadership.org/. Thanks to Jenna Neasbitt @RecoveryATX. Thanks to our sponsor www.apphemp.com, promo code "TAP15". Learn more about syringe exchange in South Carolina at www.challengesinc.org .Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Steven Slate is co author of "The Freedom Model for Addictions: Escape the Treatment and Recovery Trap" and researcher at the Baldwin Research Institute (BRI). We discuss The Freedom Model concept for treating addiction which opposes philosophies like twelve-step meetings and the disease model. The show sponsor is www.apphemp.com. Use promo code TAP15 to support South Carolina's first syringe exchange, Challenges Inc. Learn more at www.challengesinc.org , www.thecleanslate.org , www.thefreedommodel.orgBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Bill Kinkle joins us from Philadelphia, PA to discuss his journey in a health professionals monitoring program. Visit www.billkinkle.com to see the full story. Contact info for Bill on Twitter: @billkinkle and email: [email protected] Also check out his podcast at Health Professionals in Recovery.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Marc Burrows and Michael Crouch are joined via Zoom by national recovery advocate and founder of the McShin Foundation, John Shinholser. John is best known for his appearances in the independent documentary, "The Anonymous People". www.mcshin.org www.challengesinc.orgBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Marc Burrows and Michael Crouch interview Kirsten Lester from Athens, GA on her experience with being incarcerated due to drug possession charges. We discuss issues with post incarceration employment, housing, and social life, as well as recovery from addiction. Todays sponsor is www.apphemp.com. More info on syringe services in SC at www.challengesinc.orgBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Marc Burrows and Michael Crouch interview Matt Tice and Bill Kinkle from Pathways to Housing PA in Philadelphia to hear about their progressive "housing first" program that practices harm reduction instead of abstinence. Visit www.pathwaystohousingpa.org to learn more. This episode is sponsored by Appalachian Standard Hemp. Visit www.apphemp.com for all your CBD products and use promo code "TAP10" at checkout. All proceeds help support Challenges Inc; South Carolina's only syringe services program. Visit www.challengesinc.org for more info. As always, music by Blake Robertson. New album coming soon.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Marc Burrows and Michael Crouch discuss pros and cons of different views on drug use and addiction treatment after sitting down with Tim Harrington of Wide Wonder, as he passes through Greenville, S.C. on the "Throwing Stigma Under the Bus" tour. Sponsor: www.apphemp.com Promo Code: TAP20www.widewonder.life www.challengesinc.orgBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Marc Burrows and Michael Crouch dissect an article on Filtermag.org written by accomplished author, Maia Szalavitz on solving the addiction crisis. Music by Blake Robertsonhttps://filtermag.org/transforming-addiction-treatment-my-10-steps-to-deep-systemic-change/www.challengesinc.orgBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

This episode of The Addictive Podcast follows Marc Burrows and Michael Crouch as they discuss the South Carolina Recovering Professionals Program and recognize Overdose Awareness Day. www.seekhealing.orgwww.weliveonnow.orgBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

The Addictive Podcast is back with new hosts, Marc Burrows and Michael Crouch. This is an introduction to what will be discussed over the next season including medication assisted treatment, incarceration, legalization, harm reduction, naloxone, addiction treatment, legislation and more.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Marc Burrows is an advocate for Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) in South Carolina. He is in long term recovery from substance use and tells his story of how buprenorphine added to his success. Today, he works as a peer support specialist, helping others in their journey through MAT. He promotes evidence-based practices and supports legalization of all drugs. His mission is to reduce the negative consequences caused by the criminalization of drug use. References https://www.facebook.com/marc.burrows.14/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Glen and Seth review some popular nutritional supplements being used in psychotherapy to improve outcomes, optimize self-care, and provide additional options for mood management. It's nutritional uppers, downers, and all arounders, on today's Addictive Podcast.Resourceshttps://www.vitaminshoppe.com/p/stress-support-30-veggie-caps/vs-2176https://www.natrol.com/products/5-htp-for-mood-fast-dissolve/https://www.natrol.com/products/melatonin-tablets/https://www.onnit.com/alphabrain/https://www.onnit.com/new-mood/http://www.zipfizz.com/https://www.optimumnutrition.com/en_US/products/amino-energy/strength-and-recoveryBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Families for Sensible Drug Policy (FSDP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization representing an international coalition of families, professionals, organizations and public health advocates dedicated to implementing innovative public health initiatives with the goal of empowering families to increase access to effective substance use disorder treatment and reduce the harmful consequences of oppressive drug policies.Resourceshttps://www.facebook.com/groups/352133811658235/http://fsdp.org/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Seth and Glen talk about The Sinclair Method for treating Alcohol Use Disorder along with the politics of the day.Referenceshttp://www.the-sinclair-method.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Scott D. Miller, Ph.D. is the founder of the International Center for Clinical Excellence an international consortium of clinicians, researchers, and educators dedicated to promoting excellence in behavioral health services. Dr. Miller conducts workshops and training in the United States and abroad, helping hundreds of agencies and organizations, both public and private, to achieve superior results. He is one of a handful of “invited faculty” whose work, thinking, and research is featured at the prestigious “Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference.” His humorous and engaging presentation style and command of the research literature consistently inspires practitioners, administrators, and policy makers to make effective changes in service delivery.Resources:scottdmiller.comyoutube.com/watch?v=pI8Hww1xjK4centerforclinicalexcellence.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Cheryl Sharp holds the unique perspective of a person who has recovered from significant mental health challenges, a trauma survivor, a family member of a loved one who died as a result of mental illness, and a provider of substance abuse and mental health services. Sharp has worked with adult trauma survivors for over 28 years and trains and speaks nationally on trauma-informed care. She is a Master WRAP Trainer, Mental Health First Aid USA instructor, and trainer of Intentional Peer Support. Sharp is also an ordained minister. She has worked as a hospice/medical social worker and as a director of social services for a skilled nursing facility. She received a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) Voice Award for her work and personal stories educating the public about behavioral health and the Lou Ann Townsend Courage Award for her contributions to persons with psychiatric disabilities. As the leader of the National Council’s Trauma-Informed Care Learning Communities, Sharp has led many behavioral health organizations in preparing to offer trauma-informed care.https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/areas-of-expertise/trauma-informed-behavioral-healthcare/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Kratom, MAPS, couples therapy, people who come to addiction treatment, MDA, supplementation for alcohol, Duarte, the crackdown on opioids, increased death, cannabis Prop 64, other states, new data, and Seth's adventures in the great white north were covered.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Matt Edwards grew up in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, where the winters are long, they call the mosquito the state bird, and his hometown was so small that it didn't have a single store. His first high came from pills prescribed by a doctor for a botched toe surgery.For ten years he sweat out shift after shift in restaurant kitchens, working twice as many hours as anyone else so he could pay rent and feed his addiction.Matt was driven by a desperate need to get a fix – more often to avoid withdrawal than to get “high” in a recreational sense. To get what he needed he spun a web of fiction. He was a magnificent liar - smart, creative, persuasive - his lies fed his addiction as much as the actual drugs.But Matt told the truth to himself in two spiral bound journals. He chronicled his daily drug use - sort of like the Bridget Jones of addiction but in cc's, milligrams and dollars instead of pounds, drinks and cigarettes. His journals also tell the story of his countless attempts to quit.Everyday there is another front page tragedy detailing another spectacular fall from grace. What is missing is real understanding of the complicated personal experience within addiction. How does a smart, loving, promising kid move from acting in the high school play to putting a needle in his arm? WRITTEN OFF reveals that journey, in Matt's own words. Behind the addiction, there is a person - all at once lovable and despicable, funny and pathetic, young and old, destructive and aware of his failings.Molly Hermann is a producer, director and writer whose documentary work spans genres, continents and centuries. Over the past 20 years, Molly has produced award-winning work for PBS, National Geographic Channel, Discovery Channel, Smithsonian Network, Animal Planet, Discovery Science and BBC America. Her work has taken her from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange to a Casablanca mosque, from red rock Utah canyons to the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, and searching for birds of paradise in the jungles of Papua New Guinea. Molly received the CINE Awards Special Jury Prize for the Smithsonian Channel program “9/11: Stories in Fragments” and an Emmy nomination for "Jefferson's Secret Bible," both produced in collaboration with the National Museum of American History. Molly is a founding partner of the Falls Church, Virginia-based company, The Biscuit Factory, which has been producing factual programming for the past 9 years.http://www.written-off.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Stanton Peele, Ph.D., J.D., is a seminal figure in the addiction field. All Treatment awarded him the Best Academic Addiction Blog for 2012. Dr. Peele has developed the on-line Life Process Addiction Program . His most recent book (with Ilse Thompson) is Recover! Stop Thinking Like an Addict and Reclaim Your Life with The Life Process Program. Since the publication of Love and Addiction in 1975, Dr. Peele has been a pioneer in applying addiction beyond the area of drugs and alcohol, social-environmental causes of addiction, harm reduction, and self-cure of addiction. He has presented these ideas and data in a series of twelve books—including Love and Addiction, The Meaning of Addiction, Diseasing of America, The Truth About Addiction and Recovery, 7 Tools to Beat Addiction, and Addiction-Proof Your Child—and over 250 professional and popular articles. Recognition for his academic achievements in addiction has included the Mark Keller Award from the Rutgers Center of Alcohol Studies and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Drug Policy Alliance. Dr. Peele lectures internationally on the meaning, treatment, and future of addiction.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

"We are treating the symptom and not the disease, and the disease is prohibition." -- Patrick Heintz regarding the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 (CARA)With experience in both corrections and substance abuse counseling, Patrick Heintz has worked with incarcerated populations for over 20 years. Beginning as a child care worker in a maximum security Department of Youth Services facility, he spent the majority of his career at the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department as a counselor/corrections officer.As a substance abuse counselor licensed by the State of Massachusetts working in a variety of corrections settings, he was witness to what he calls the “revolving door and intergenerational nature of the offender population”. Patrick explains, “Early on in my career, it became apparent that to a large extent, this revolving door phenomenon was a direct result of the prevailing laws associated with the war on drugs. It became a daily frustration that no matter how service-oriented and well intentioned treatment attempts were in a corrections setting, nonsensical drug laws such as mandatory minimum sentencing, school zone violations and other punitive consequences of drug arrests kept us from being optimally effective.”As a human service worker in corrections, it was obvious to Patrick that substance abusing and addictive personality disorders were more mental health issues than a law and order problem. He experienced an avalanche of realizations upon first hearing a LEAP presentation where the speaker pointed out that after 40 years of being at war with drugs, the percentage of the population abusing drugs remains at approximately the same level as in 1971, when the war on drugs began. Patrick contends that “Sociologically there will always be deviations from the norm including substance abuse, but they cannot be legislated or enforced away.”https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-addictive-podcast/id1042404723?mt=2http://www.leap.cc/author/pat-heintz/https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/s524Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

On July 7, 2016, one or more individuals, including a suspect identified as Micah Xavier Johnson, shot twelve police officers and two civilians in Dallas, Texas, killing five of the officers. The shooting occurred at the end of a protest against police killings in the aftermath of the shooting deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. Johnson was killed during a shootout and standoff with police, while three other suspects are in police custody. It was the deadliest incident for U.S. law enforcement since the September 11, 2001 attacks.The drug war and the disconnect between the police and communities of color is indirectly responsible for the attacks.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

HAMS is a peer-led and free-of-charge support and informational group for anyone who wants to change their drinking habits for the better. The acronym HAMS stands for Harm reduction, Abstinence, and Moderation Support. HAMS Harm Reduction strategies are defined in the 17 elements of HAMS. HAMS offers support via an online forum, a chat room, an email group, a facebook group, and live meetings. We also offer harm reduction information via the HAMS Book, the articles on this web site, and the HAMS podcast. HAMS supports every positive change. Choose your own goal - safe drinking, reduced drinking, or quitting alcohol altogether.It does not matter how much or how little you drink; if you want to make a change you are welcome here. If you are concerned that you might have withdrawal symptoms if you quit drinking all at once, please visit our taper page for information about how to taper off alcohol.Resources:https://www.amazon.com/How-Change-Your-Drinking-Reduction/dp/145383060Xhttp://www.blogtalkradio.com/harm-reductionhttps://www.facebook.com/alcohol.harm.reduction/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

The emergence of new psychoactive substances (NPS) – often called “synthetic drugs,” “legal highs,” or “research chemicals” – pose a number of challenges for policymakers, media covering these issues, medical and social service providers, and people who use these substances.Unfortunately, current media and policy responses to NPS – a broad category that includes everything from synthetic cannabinoids such as “K2”, to synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, to traditional plants such as kratom – have been largely fueled by misinformation rather than facts. For example, in New York City, concerns about synthetic cannabinoids led to misleading media coverage and targeted policing in communities of color and among the homeless, missing a critical opportunity to lead with harm reduction and public health strategies instead of criminalization.These substances often come on the market as legal alternatives to illicit drugs. In the U.S., they are routinely banned, leading chemists to come up with slightly new formulations to evade existing laws. This cat-and-mouse game has led to a proliferation of these substances, whose potential harms (and benefits) are largely unknown.Seth Fitzgerald from The Drug Classroom attended an important conversation about novel psychoactive substances on the evening of June 9th - 10th in New York City hosted by the Drug Policy Alliance. At New Strategies for New Psychoactive Substances: A Public Health Approach, the discussion included what is currently known about these substances, strategies for intervening when use becomes harmful, exploring new forms of drug regulation, and examining how messaging and media about NPS can become more constructive. The gathering laid the foundation for a series of recommendations for policymakers, medical and social service providers, researchers, and media.References:http://www.drugpolicy.org/news/2016/05/free-conference-public-health-strategies-new-psychoactive-substances-k2-and-bath-saltshttp://thedrugclassroom.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Sheila Vakharia earned her doctorate at Florida International University’s School of Social Work. She received her Master’s in Social Work from Binghamton University and a Post-Master’s Certificate in the Addictions from New York University. She was most recently employed as a social worker at a grassroots HIV/AIDS and homelessness advocacy organization in Manhattan, where she provided harm reduction-based substance use counseling, facilitated harm reduction support groups, and conducted quality assurance activities. She was also a SIFI certified field instructor for B.S.W. students from New York University at that time. Prior to that, she worked at an OASAS-licensed rural outpatient substance use treatment facility where she conducted diagnostic assessments, made level-of-care treatment determinations, and facilitated aftercare groups for individuals with co-occurring disorders.Jeannie Little has been at the forefront of developing harm reduction therapy for people with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders since 1990. Beginning with her work at the Department of Veterans Affairs, she developed the harm reduction therapy group model and has trained therapists nationally and abroad. She teaches and consults with staff in outpatient clinics, drop-in centers, and supportive housing programs. She directs a national group of researchers and harm reduction therapists that is working to bring harm reduction therapy into the mainstream of substance abuse treatment. She has authored many papers and, with Dr. Denning, she co-authored Practicing Harm Reduction Psychotherapy and Over the Influence, a self-help book for consumers.Referenceshttp://harmreductiontherapy.org/http://harmreduction.org/http://ssdp.orghttp://fsdp.org/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Frances first got involved with SSDP in 2011, when she co-founded the Northwestern University chapter as a freshman. Although she had known that the War on Drugs was irrational and ineffective before attending college, it wasn’t until she attended her first Midwest Regional Conference at Roosevelt University that she learned that drug policies were also unjust and inhumane. Since then, harm reduction has been a guiding principle behind all of her professional and personal pursuits, and she strives to educate people about the intersectionalities associated with the War on Drugs.In the drug policy world, Frances has served on SSDP’s Board of Directors, and has worked with cannabis law and industry organizations to research cannabis policy in various states, and write and review applications for cannabis cultivation centers and dispensary licenses. On campus, she was involved with Sexual Health and Assault Peer Educators (SHAPE), Alpha Chi Omega sorority and and has served as the President of the Panhellenic Association.Goals for SSDP Peer Education Program1) To promote open and honest dialogue around drug use, drug policy and drug culture2) To reduce drug-related harms through a lens of love, rather than stigma or punishment3) Convey factual information about drugs, including how to access further resources4) Convey factual information about drug policy, including how to access further resourcesSSDP Peer Educators achieve this goal through three primary activities1) Facilitating small-group educational programs in residence halls, in fraternities and sororities, for other student groups and high schools, and during Orientation Week2) Providing students with informal counseling and professional referrals3) Planning campus-wide events in collaboration with other student groups, academic departments or community organizations4) Soliciting feedback and communicating to National staff to ensure that the program continually meets students’ needs.Referenceshttps://www.youtube.com/user/thedrugpolicydealer/videoshttp://thedrugclassroom.comhttp://ssdp.org/justsayknowBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Rhana Hashemi author of "The Fallacies of a Drug-Free American Dream."References:http://thedrugclassroom.comhttp://ssdp.org/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.

Andrew G. Ahearn is the founder of the Pills That Kill Foundation.Resources:http://pillsthatkill.orghttp://www.capecodtimes.com/article/20100912/NEWS/100909840Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-needle-and-the-narrative--1518412/support.