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Those struggling with addiction are at greater risk for contracting COVID-19 according to a recent study from the National Institutes of Health. In Native communities, public health officials are working to reduce those risks with a harm reduction approach. Harm reduction involves supporting individuals struggling with addiction, not punishing them. It can involve providing clean needles for intravenous drug users or arming the community with the overdose-reversing drug, Naloxone. We’ll talk with public health experts advocating for harm reduction as a way to offset the added risks the pandemic poses for addicts.
Danica Love Brown (Choctaw Nation) – behavioral health manger Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board
Dr. Jessica Gregg – associate professor of medicine at the Oregon Health and Science University
Philomena Kebec (Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa) – co-coordinator Gwayakobimaadiziwin Bad River Harm Reduction Program
Break 1 music: Wim Ah I Wem, Tiwa (single) Gregg Analla (artist)
Break 2 music: Hoka Hey (feat. Jayden Paz & Dancin Dave) [Radio Version] (song) DJ krayzkree (artist) Future Generations (album)
