VIRTUAL TOWN HALLS
Expanding the availability and impact of Harm Reduction education and training.
Making Harm Reduction a Priority in New York State
Over the last few months, New York State has not only changed leadership but has elevated issues such as the opioid settlement fund and syringe decriminalization. The New York State Harm Reduction Association hosted a virtual town hall discussion on where we are now with these issues, how our new administration may impact these efforts, and what you can do to make your voice heard.
Emergency Town Hall: Opioid Settlement Fund and Syringe Decriminalization
New York State legislators are days away from determining the fate of the opioid settlement fund and syringe decriminalization. On June 1, 2021, we hosted an emergency town hall discussion on the current bills, their impact, and what New Yorkers can do to make their voice heard.
Marijuana Legalization: Social and Economic Justice for All New Yorkers
After years of advocacy efforts, New York may legalize and equitably regulate marijuana for adult use this year. In March 2021, NYSHRA collaborated with the Drug Policy Alliance for a discussion on its potential impact for New Yorkers.
COVID Town Hall Series Part Two
The Good, the Bad, and The Ugly: COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among Harm Reduction Agencies
For part two of our COVID town hall series, we focused on vaccine uptake among harm reduction agencies. This discussion explored vaccine hesitancy, challenges in vaccine rollout, and what harm reduction advocates can do to promote vaccine access in their communities.
COVID Town Hall Series Part One
The Good, the Bad, and The Ugly: COVID-19’s Impact on Services for People Who Use Drugs
In part one of our COVID town hall series, NYSHRA brought together a panel of experts to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on service organizations serving people who use drugs.
NYSHRA Presents: Creating a Framework for Anti-Racist Substance Use Treatment
This three part weekly webinar, hosted by NYS Harm Reduction Association in July and August 2020, brought experts together to discuss the presence of racism in the origins of the drug war, current drug treatment norms, alternatives to criminalization and highlight opportunities for reparations and change.
Watch Part One
In part one, our panelists spoke about the origin’s of the 1970’s War on Drugs as a way to criminalize Black Americans, and the way it has informed how drug laws and drug treatment have progressed. NYSHRA was joined by Samuel K. Roberts, Jr PhD of Columbia University, Helena Hansen, MD, PhD of NYU Lagone Health and Sheila Vakharia, PhD of Drug Policy Alliance for this critical conversation.
Watch Part Two
In part two, our panelists speak about the ways that current drug treatment norms and mandates and the criminal justice system have been intertwined, and the differential ways that society treats drug use in white versus black and brown communities.
NYSHRA was joined in this dynamic conversation by Kassandra Frederique of the Drug Policy Alliance, Deborah A. Reid and Tracie Gardner of Legal Action Center and Dinah Ortiz-Adames, a child welfare reform expert.
Watch Part Three
In part three, our panelists speak about the landscape of alternatives being presented to incarceration. What are the ways this brings us closer to decriminalization of our communities? How are the types of interventions and the timeline in which the consideration of alternatives is still centered around protecting white drug users?
NYSHRA was joined in this dynamic conversation by Joe Turner of Exponents, Jasmine Budnella of VOCAL NY, Erin Miles Cloud of Movement for Family Power and Dr. Justine Waldman of REACH Medical. Moderated by Robert Suarez of the Urban Survivors Union.