Andrew Gilroy: Narc Daily

Andrew Gilroy is a drug policy expert and the co-founder of Narc Daily, a digital media company that covers drug use, harm reduction, and drug policy. He has written extensively about the opioid crisis, drug overdose prevention, and the benefits of safe injection sites.

Gilroy's work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Guardian. He has also appeared on CNN, MSNBC, and NPR.

In this interview, Gilroy discusses the opioid crisis, the benefits of safe injection sites, and the need for drug policy reform.

What is the opioid crisis?

The opioid crisis is a public health emergency that has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans. Opioids are a class of drugs that include prescription pain relievers, such as oxycodone and hydrocodone, and illegal drugs, such as heroin and fentanyl.

The opioid crisis began in the late 1990s with the overprescription of prescription pain relievers. These drugs were often prescribed for chronic pain, but they were also misused and diverted for recreational use.

In recent years, the opioid crisis has been fueled by the rise of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. Fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, without the user's knowledge. This can lead to overdose and death.

What are the benefits of safe injection sites?

Safe injection sites are places where people can inject drugs under the supervision of medical professionals. These sites provide clean needles, sterile equipment, and overdose prevention services.

Safe injection sites have been shown to reduce overdose deaths, improve public health, and reduce crime. In Vancouver, Canada, where safe injection sites have been operating for over 20 years, overdose deaths have decreased by 35%.

Why is drug policy reform needed?

The current drug policy in the United States is based on the idea that drug use is a crime. This approach has failed to reduce drug use or drug-related harm. In fact, it has led to the mass incarceration of people of color and the criminalization of drug use.

Drug policy reform is needed to create a more humane and effective approach to drug use. This includes decriminalizing drug possession, expanding access to harm reduction services, and investing in evidence-based treatment programs.

Conclusion

The opioid crisis is a serious public health emergency that requires urgent action. Safe injection sites and drug policy reform are two important steps that can be taken to reduce overdose deaths, improve public health, and reduce crime.

Tips and Tricks for Getting Started with Harm Reduction

Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing the negative consequences of drug use. Harm reduction is based on the idea that drug use is a complex issue that should be addressed with compassion and evidence-based solutions.

There are many different ways to practice harm reduction. Some common harm reduction strategies include:

• Using clean needles and sterile equipment
• Avoiding sharing needles or other drug paraphernalia
• Testing drugs for fentanyl
• Using overdose prevention services
• Seeking treatment for addiction

Harm reduction can be a lifesaving approach to drug use. By following these tips, you can reduce your risk of overdose and other drug-related harms.

How to Step-by-Step Approach to Starting a Harm Reduction Program

Starting a harm reduction program can be a daunting task, but it is possible with the right planning and support. Here is a step-by-step approach to help you get started:

1. Identify your target population. Who do you want to reach with your program? Are you targeting people who use drugs, people who are at risk of overdose, or people who have been affected by drug use?
2. Develop a needs assessment. What are the needs of your target population? What services do they need? What barriers do they face?
3. Set realistic goals. What do you want to achieve with your program? Do you want to reduce overdose deaths? Increase access to harm reduction services? Reduce drug-related crime?
4. Develop a plan. How will you achieve your goals? What services will you offer? How will you reach your target population?
5. Secure funding. How will you pay for your program? There are a variety of funding sources available, including government grants, foundation grants, and private donations.
6. Find a location. Where will you operate your program? The location should be convenient for your target population and should be safe and welcoming.
7. Hire staff. You will need staff to provide services, outreach, and administrative support. The staff should be trained in harm reduction and should be compassionate and non-judgmental.
8. Promote your program. Let your target population know about your program. Use social media, outreach events, and word-of-mouth to get the word out.
9. Evaluate your program. How effective is your program? Are you reaching your goals? Are you making a difference in the lives of your clients? Regularly evaluate your program and make adjustments as needed.

Why Harm Reduction Matters

Harm reduction is a crucial public health approach to drug use. Harm reduction strategies can save lives, improve public health, and reduce crime.

Harm reduction saves lives. Safe injection sites have been shown to reduce overdose deaths by up to 35%. Naloxone, an overdose reversal drug, has saved thousands of lives.

Harm reduction improves public health. Harm reduction programs provide access to clean needles and sterile equipment, which can prevent the spread of diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C. Harm reduction programs also offer counseling, support, and treatment referrals, which can help people to reduce their drug use and improve their overall health.

Harm reduction reduces crime. Drug users who are connected to harm reduction services are less likely to commit crimes. This is because harm reduction programs provide people with stable housing, job training, and other support services that help them to get their lives back on track.

Benefits of Harm Reduction

Harm reduction has many benefits for individuals, communities, and society as a whole.

Benefits for individuals:

• Reduced risk of overdose
• Reduced risk of disease
• Improved physical and mental health
• Increased access to treatment
• Reduced criminal activity

Benefits for communities:

• Reduced overdose deaths
• Reduced crime
• Improved public health
• Increased economic vitality

Benefits for society:

• Reduced healthcare costs
• Reduced criminal justice costs
• Increased productivity
• Increased social cohesion

Tables

Table 1: Number of overdose deaths in the United States by year

Table 2: Number of overdose deaths in the United States by drug type

Table 3: Number of overdose deaths in the United States by race/ethnicity

Table 4: Number of safe injection sites in the United States