When I decided to stop using, what carried me was the belief that I could stop because I wanted to with the support of my family, friends, and care providers -- not because someone forced me. Forced treatment discharges people to the same environment, with a new wound: a loss of autonomy at the hands of those who claimed they are helping. In addition, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, individuals with substance use disorder leaving forced treatment are 41% more likely to overdose within 30 days. As the leader of a hotline where we keep people safe while they are using, I have seen how kindness and unconditional support change behavior in ways punishment never could. You can't heal trauma in a traumatic environment, and you can't build trust by locking someone behind bars. If we want to save lives, we need to stop clinging to coercion and start making care accessible and free that honors people's dignity, autonomy, and right to be safe. -Stephen Murray

Stephen Murray’s journey to stability began with support, not punishment. Forcing people into treatment can worsen outcomes and increase overdose risk. With high costs and long waitlists, many struggle to get help. That’s why he calls for accessible care grounded in healing, dignity, and safety

DEA Raises Adderall Production Quotas for the First Time The agency is allowing production of more d-amphetamine and methylphenidate, but denies its previous quotas didn't meet medical demand.

The agency is allowing production of more d-amphetamine and methylphenidate, but denies its previous quotas didn't meet medical demand.

Sigh.

Truth.

Judge slams U.S. contentions in case of wrongly deported Salvadoran man In a decision released Sunday, a federal judge takes the Trump administration to task, saying it has “no evidence” the wrongly deported man from Maryland is a gang member.

“In her just-released decision, she cited records and official statements that show the United States has the power to bring him back but has chosen not to exercise it.
“This is not about Defendants’ inability to return Abrego García, but their lack of desire,” the judge wrote.”

wapo.st/4cgQBha

Some offenders were victims first; it's time to pass the Second Look Act - Maryland Matters Courts often ignore the fact that women convicted of crimes related to their own gender-based victimization were victims long before they became criminal defendants. Leigh Goodmark says it's time to p...

Marylanders: The criminal legal system ignores that our clients were victims before they were offenders. The Second Look Act would give our incarcerated clients a chance to show judges that they are not violent or dangerous. Please urge your Senator to vote yes: marylandmatters.org/2025/03/31/s...

The Road to Trump Was Paved With Mass Incarceration When you create a police state, you end up with a police state

""investment in criminal incarceration & policing—some $295 billion—is, then, also a massive investment in undermining democracy. The criminal justice system we have created is sweepingly undemocratic & authoritarian. People who come in contact with it cease to believe in & participate in democracy”

Sign the Petition Demand that Equitas Health negotiate raises with Equitas Health Workers United

Equitas Health Workers United request your help in upholding our cba and a seat at the table to discuss wage reopener and demand accountability
Please stand in solidarity with our non MGMT direct service providers.
www.change.org/p/demand-tha...

normalization and its dangers, and to protect our struggle from the heightened risk of using normalization to whitewash genocide. The ends never justify the unethical means."

read full statement here:

www.bdsmovement.net/no-other-land

😵‍💫 every single day lately is a new horror that's been lurking and so much money and time spent developing it.... What a wild time....

Sign the Petition Demand that Equitas Health negotiate raises with Equitas Health Workers United

could you please help me help my fellow comrades. Us non management direct service providers unionized about a year ago. C suite refusing to honor our collective bargaining agreement and we are struggling. If you could sign and share the petition it may help us.
chng.it/bhkYq25bbP

Well many orgs large and small were already in the age of funding gap season. Now the corporate structures are set to cannibalize, program management and c suite likely looking to lop the actual direct service providers to allow for more room/padding in their severance.... Services paused already

LinkedIn post

There’s no such thing as rock bottom. Letting someone continue to suffer thinking they are heading there so that they can change is cruel. Thankfully my parents didn’t take that route.

Directions for suspected opioid overdose reversal: S. A. V. E. M. E. Stimulate and call 911/for help Airway - give 2 rescue breaths (if chest doesn’t rise give Heimlich Maneuver) Ventilate - 1 breath every 5 seconds Evaluate - are they revived? If not, continue assisting Medicate - give one dose of Narcan/ReVive and continue rescue breaths for 3 minutes Evaluate - if not revived, give 2nd dose and continue rescue breaths until help arrives If the person must be left unattended at any time, put them in the recovery position.

@clairezagorski.bsky.social I made this image into large 3”x3” stickers last year, and passed them out so people could put them in first aid boxes or wherever.
Any suggestions for improvement?
#harmreduction #narcan #PWUD #alttext #firstaid #recovery
#supportNOTpunish
#harmreductionsaveslives

Trudeau Promises Canada "Fentanyl Czar" to Avoid Trump Tariffs Filter spoke with Nicholas Boyce of the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition to better understand impact of Trudeau's unexpected announcement.

Every dollar that we are spending on so-called border security and police and law enforcement is a dollar we are not spending on addressing the housing crisis, mental health or employment programs. 🩵

Surviving an overdose can be excruciating. New research suggests it doesn’t have to be Naloxone is a fantastic tool in reducing opioid deaths, but gentler versions would be helpful for fighting overdose

www.salon.com/2025/02/06/n...

The Corporate Coup in Global Context Naomi Klein, Chenjerai Kumanyika, Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, Astra Taylor An Emergency Town Hall Monday February 17 at 5:00 pm ET Haymarket Books

Join @naomiaklein.bsky.social, @chenjerai.bsky.social, @keeanga.bsky.social, & @astra.bsky.social for an emergency town hall on resisting the shock & awe politics of the far right & their billionaire enthusiasts

Monday, February 17 at 5:00 pm ET

RSVP to attend: www.tickettailor.com/events/hayma...

the rift is between "save them" and "let them die" approaches to drug policy and doctors are (finally) resigning over the government's policy choice

*reminder that the legislature returns Feb 18

#bravery
@docs4saferdrugs.bsky.social

Thank you!!! ❤️‍🔥

There are no beds for involuntary. Please sign and try to fight this harmful ideology.

I'm so scared for our futures and the lack of humanity for us all

BC Doctor Who Organized Pop-Up OPS Resigns Following Retaliation Two months after organizing one of the unsanctioned overdose prevention sites (OPS) that launched a movement across Canada, a British ...

Dr. Jess Wilder was placed on administrative leave in January. Island Health said only that there had been concerns over her recent advocacy.

By @brishti.bsky.social:

📢 Abstracts and Scholarships for @inhsu.bsky.social's #INHSU2025 conference close on March 2, 2025. Don’t miss your chance to present to a global audience in Cape Town and drive forward equitable healthcare for people who use drugs
https://s.mtrbio.com/gilqemzvpm

40% OFF Haymarket Books on the Struggle for Black Liberation Black History Month is not only a celebration of the rich history of Black life, politics, culture, and struggle. It is also a reminder to engage every day with that history as we ...

For #BlackHistoryMonth we're offering 40% OFF Haymarket Books on the Struggle for Black Liberation

Nurses taking ‘person-centred’ approach to drug use at new facility Nurses are pioneering harm reduction work at the UK’s first safer drugs consumption facility. Nu...

"Nurses are pioneering harm reduction work at the UK’s first safer drugs consumption facility in Glasgow. After 10 years of planning, negotiations and pushback from previous governments, The Thistle... had more than 130 attendances in its first week."

www.nursingtimes.net/public-healt...

Highly recommend if you're looking for your next good read. @roderickstruth.bsky.social

Maryland Lawmakers Renew Push for Overdose Prevention Centers Urged on by the mayor at the epicenter of the nation’s overdose crisis, a Maryland lawmaker has launched a renewed ...

As an overdose prevention centers bill is reintroduced in Maryland's legislature, the mayor of Baltimore identifies OPC as a “legislative priority” for the city. Baltimore has yet to take unilateral action, however.

@loganhullinger.bsky.social reports:

Received! ❤️‍🔥

Idk I'm trying to figure it out too 🙃