I'm so geeked (DC slang for excited) that my McCourt School + Georgetown University Prisons & Justice Initiative student, Shameka 'Meek' Hayes was recently elected #ANC in Ward 7 Washington, DC. Meek took my Introduction to Public Policy (with a critical race theory lens) class this fall! washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/…

For our 20th Anniversary, will you help us welcome 200 new members to Free Minds? We are getting close but still need your support. Gifts DOUBLED! givelocaltogether.org/o/freeminds

Harm Reduction Gap takes you by the hand and walks with you. In it, Sheila Vakharia PhD MSW strips harm reduction of its politicized extremes: enabling pandemonium v silver bullet that’s one size fits all.

Instead she shares how to relate to it and offers why it can help more people.

If you don’t know about Louise Vincent Louise Beale and the work of the National Survivors Union National Survivors Union (NSU, formerly USU) please educate yourself on her brilliance and compassion and life-saving harm reduction work ❤️npr.org/2023/11/19/121…

“Rather than building jail cells, rather than building more detention, we should be focused on building strong young people, strong families, and strong communities.” - GJJCI Policy Director Eduardo Ferrer

dcnewsnow.com/news/local-new…

Congratulations to our graduates of the Peer Support Training Program! We joined together virtually to celebrate this special program and our graduates. Thank you all who attended to support our members! #FreeMindsPeerSupport #FreeMindsBookClub #Graduation

The latest issue of the #FreeMindsConnect magazine is out now and can be read on our website! This issue focuses on all things growth and an exploration of growth through different aspects such as financial, community, and self. Scan the QR code to read!

'More than 800 people were jailed in Mississippi in the year ending in June because there was no room in state psychiatric hospitals.' propublica.org/article/missis…

🧵After hearing the need for peers nationally to have a space to connect, talk, & network, we've been convening for a monthly Peer Gathering Cohort, a group now known as PeerUp - & we want you to join us! The sessions, which take place the first Monday of each month, are open to

A new study found no significant increase in violent or property crimes reported to police, emergency service calls, nor 311 public safety calls in neighborhoods of NYC overdose prevention centers. This is consistent with what we’ve long understood about the critical, life-saving…

“My handcuffs were removed, and I was given ‘freedom’—but the cold shackles of incarceration still weigh heavy on my ankles.”

Myles Martin's story highlights how the harms of the criminal legal system can persist even after someone is released: ow.ly/k17050Q84pb

1. Menthol bans are bad. They will only increase enforcement for loosies/underground sales.
2. Last I checked, Biden has not delivered on any promises re: marijuana, just non-interference.
3. The feds aren't funding pipes in safe smoking kit distribution. BUT THEY SHOULD.

it is outrageous that this law enforcement software was allowed to infiltrate medicine with zero evidence that it has benefit & doesn't do harm.

It costs three times more to enforce anti-homeless laws than to provide housing to those who do not have it. Criminalization only fills up jails with people who are more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators.

Jail for substance use is terrible policy + a waste of 💵. From a health perspective, jail increase risks of many harms, ppl at risk of untreated SUD, OD, exacerbations of MH, violence, dislocation from health providers, and insurance disruptions. Glad you are ok + advocating 🙏

“Notice of major cleaning”: A qualitative study of the negative impact... sciencedirect.com/science/articl… Important study led by jesse lloyd/ישי אריה w/ @amandacowan
Ben Henwood and me. Demonstrates how sweeps undermine well-being among people who are unhoused.

#TXlege ALERT! A racist, discriminatory bill SB 4 received final passage in the fourth session last night (11/15/23). This bill is dangerous, and ignorant, and puts Texans throughout the state at risk of racial profiling and needless arrests.

🧵Brown University's study confirms what people who use drugs & harm reductionists know from lived experience - overdose prevention centers don't increase crime. The study found there were no significant changes in crimes, 911 calls for crimes, medical...
bit.ly/OPCsStudyFindi…

SURPRISE! (not really) new research in JAMA shows the same thing research all over the world shows, Overdose Prevention Centers do NOT increase crime and disorder. OnPoint NYC's saves lives! #EndOverdoseNY #HarmReduction jamanetwork.com/journals/jaman…