prevention

Harm Reductionists Talk about Opiate Overdose Mortality Prevention

The video can be found at the following link: http://vimeo.com/51111302

(Because of the detailed animated infographics in this video, it is recommended that it be played at full-screen size.)

When Bad Laws Cost Lives: The Case for 911 Good Samaritan Laws in NC: Interview with Chad Sanders, Who Lost a Sister to Overdose

Few experiences are more painful than the sudden passing of a family member. For Chad Sanders, a nurse in Durham, North Carolina, the pain is sharp and fresh as the seven-year anniversary of his sister’s death approaches this November. Chad lost his little sister, 19-year-old Shelly Sanders, to a drug overdose in 2005. He remembers her as a beautiful, spontaneous young woman who loved adventure, travel, dancing, and helping others. She died in her student dorm room in Asheville amidst piles of books and clothes and study guides for exams she’d never take. The most painful part of this loss, other than the fact that he’ll never see her again, is knowing that Shelly’s death was preventable.

Interview with Graham McKinnon, CEO of Protective Outfitters
Samantha Korb, NCHRC Intern

When I spoke to Graham McKinnon, CEO of Protective Outfitters, I came across with the feeling that there is no one more invested in not only his business, but in his innovative and lifesaving product, the Ampel Probe. “The Ampel Probe is a hand held tool most closely resembling a pair of large pliers and is used to safely pick up materials that could potentially harm the public, like syringes”. Protective Outfitters, the company started by McKinnon, specializes in this tool that helps protect the lives of professionals in a variety of industries, including law enforcement, first responders, forensic teams and many more communities. McKinnon says “the Ampel Probe is a device that customers have stated protect users from sharps injuries and their associated from diseases like HIV and Hepatitis C.”

I’ve been involved in a number of different capacities regarding HIV and Viral Hepatitis B & C prevention, health education and advocacy for nearly 10 years, but it has only been recently I’ve delved into the exciting world of harm reduction in North Carolina. Through my internship so far with the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, I’ve had hands on education about harm reduction in the South and particularly in North Carolina. Though these experiences so far, I’ve learned how it’s impacted a number of populations, from drug users and sex workers to members of law enforcement.

People say that sex work is the oldest profession in the world, but few know it is also one of the most dangerous. Sex work, also known as prostitution, is the provision of sexual services in exchange for money, drugs, or other favors. Other forms of sex work, such as survival sex, exchange sex to pay rent or to buy food or other living supplies.

Sex workers face many dangers on the job, including exposure to disease, violence, discrimination, stigma, and exploitation. Harm reduction principles can help safe-guard sex workers lives, teach empowerment and survival skills, and prevent the spread of diseases such as HIV and hepatitis, acquired through unprotected sex and unsterilized drug equipment, which is often present in sex work.