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In the past year, over 16 people from the Blood Tribe in Alberta, Canada died from a drug overdose. In response, health care workers are distributing naloxone kits and training community members to identify potential drug overdoses and administer this lifesaving drug. Also, in Indiana last week, the governor declared a public health emergency in Scott County due to a spike in HIV infections caused by intravenous drug use. Programs like needle exchanges and naloxone distribution are sometimes called harm reduction. But do they really reduce harm or do they enable addicts? Does your tribe have a needle exchange program? Should resources be dedicated to preventing drug use before it starts?
Guests:
Dr. Ester Tailfeathers (Blood Tribe) – emergency room and family doctor on the Blood Reserve in Canada
Daniel Raymond – policy director for the Harm Reduction Coalition
Mike Lasnier – chief of police for the Suquamish Tribe
Also mentioned on the show:
Break Music: Chicken Dance (song) Blackfoot Confederacy (artist) Confederacy Style (album)
