Harvard Professor and Physician, Dr. Scott G. Weiner, compares substance use disorders to other chronic illness to highlight the unjust stigma placed on addiction. Dr. Weiner discusses safe injection sites and harm reduction as a possible way to reduce stigma and provide proper healthcare to those suffering.
Experts on Sex Worker rights and Harm Reduction weigh in on the similarities between the two movements and how they can best support each other in achieving shared goals. While not addressing stigma directly, this article serves to highlight how stigma has left many people out of the harm reduction conversation and why this topic of the month includes articles on both substance use and sex work.
”The stigma of drug use here is so strong, mothers ask Campanella if she can spare a dose of Narcan in case they need it to save their children. They'd rather not be seen in line at the pharmacy, they tell her.”
What distorted perceptions exist around addiction, treatment, and the overdose reversal drug Narcan? This article from EMS1 serves as a great introduction to the internal and external stigmas that can deter individuals, families, and entire communities from embracing treatment and recovery from addiction. Click the title for the full article from EMS1.com.
“Priya Mammen, an emergency room doctor at Methodist, said she often has a hard time convincing her patients to seek help outside the community. ‘Sometimes they don't even want to go up to our Center City campus,’ she said. ‘Prevention Point is a phenomenal resource that I would love to link any number of people to. But they're like, 'That's Kensington. I don't go there. I'm not that person.' The stigma goes in all directions.’”
