OUR MOVEMENT IN MOTION
July 31 2025


SECTION 1: News and Announcements

+ HONORING OUR BELOVED LILL PROSPERINO: It is with broken hearts and profound sadness we share our beloved former colleague and forever friend, Lill Prosperino, has passed away. Lill was a light. Their smile and laugh made the whole room — virtual or in-person — brighter. Lill embodied harm reduction. Lill was and is harm reduction...Because of Lill, the harm reduction movement and world is a better place than it was before them. Read our tribute to Lill here.

Link: bit.ly/HonoringLill


+ REMEMBERING TINO FUENTES: NHRC is heartbroken by the loss of Tino Fuentes, a former NHRC board member and tireless harm reductionist. He was an important force in the harm reduction movement for decades working at Lower Eastside Harm Reduction Center, also known as Alliance for Positive Change, one of the original ACT UP programs in New York City (NYC). He was instrumental in modeling the Washington Heights CORNER Project (WHCP), now known as OnPoint NYC, into the organization it is today. At WHCP, he helped pioneer the life-saving approach to harm reduction in Syringe Services Programs (SSPs) bathrooms, where folks were on site to look out for overdoses and reverse overdoses as needed. He then went on to lead the harm reduction work at St. Ann's Corner of Harm Reduction in the South Bronx, another one of NYC’s original ACT UP programs, before traveling around the country teaching people and programs how to use fentanyl test strips long before these test strips became more of a household name and in news media headlines. Tino was a force within our movement, a mentor, and a friend. We miss him dearly. Harm reduction in NYC and in the U.S. would not be the same without Tino's contributions. NHRC will be sharing a full tribute to Tino soon, and are keeping all those who knew and loved him in our hearts.


+ ACTION ALERT — SOLIDARITY WITH UNHOUSED COMMUNITIES: Housing is a human right. No law, policy, order, or campaign will ever change that. Take action against the criminalization of our unhoused communities. Read the statement and get involved with our friends at the National Homelessness Law Center here.

Link: bit.ly/NHLCActionAlert


+ SSPS IMPROVE BUPRENORPHINE ACCESS/LOS SSPS MEJORAN EL ACCESO A LA BUPRENORFINA: Life-saving Syringe Services Programs (SSPs) connect program participants with a range of care, support services, and medications, including buprenorphine. NHRC, in collaboration with our partners at RTI International and the North American Syringe Exchange Network (NASEN), have published fact sheets in Spanish and English that highlight the experiences 20 SSPs have had integrating buprenorphine into their work with program participants. The fact sheets include information about how SSPs can increase buprenorphine access for participants, challenges and opportunities, and more. Access the fact sheets here to learn more.

Los Programas de Servicios de Jeringas que Salvan Vidas (SSP) conectan a los participantes con una variedad de cuidados, servicios de apoyo y medicamentos, incluyendo buprenorfina. El NHRC, en colaboración con nuestros socios de RTI International y la Red Norteamericana de Intercambio de Jeringas (NASEN), ha publicado hojas informativas en español e inglés que destacan las experiencias de 20 SSP al integrar la buprenorfina en su trabajo con los participantes. Las hojas informativas incluyen información sobre cómo los SSP pueden aumentar el acceso a la buprenorfina para los participantes, los desafíos y las oportunidades, y más. Acceda a las hojas informativas aquí para obtener más información.

Links/enlaces:
harmreduction.org/resource-center/
bit.ly/MejorandoElAccesoALaBuprenorfina
bit.ly/ImprovingBupeAccess


+ NHRC IS ON BLUESKY: NHRC has joined the Bluesky party! We're thrilled to share yet another way folks can follow us for more news, announcements, resources, and more from the harm reduction movement and interconnected public health and social justice work. Follow along here.

Link: bit.ly/NHRCBluesky


+ NHRC PRESENTS TOBACCO HARM REDUCTION INITIATIVE: NHRC’s Executive Director Laura Guzman and Programs and Resources Manager, Mike Pomante, provided a presentation about NHRC’s Tobacco Harm Reduction Education and Engagement (THREE) initiative to the Global Action to End Smoking (Global Action)’s Board of Directors in NYC, NY. NHRC’s team was thrilled to hear Global Action’s board members and staff share how honored they were to have NHRC as a grantee working on this life-saving project, and congratulated NHRC on our tobacco harm reduction work.


+ SUPPORT, DON’T PUNISH: The so-called "War On Drugs" is a war on us. We demand and deserve our rights to health care, bodily autonomy, and well-being be respected and honored on "Support. Don't Punish" Day of Action and every day after. Worldwide, we're elevating the call to save lives and support people who use drugs. Learn about how the world came together in solidarity to uplift the health and well-being needs of people who use drugs — and the need to dismantle the carceral responses to public health — via our friends at Support. Don't Punish.

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+ NATIONAL SURVEY OF SYRINGE SERVICES PROGRAMS LAUNCHED: Calling all Syringe Services Programs (SSPs) — we need your feedback! NHRC, in collaboration with the North American Syringe Exchange Network (NASEN) and RTI International, launched the 2025 National Survey of Syringe Services Programs (NSSSP). Tracking SSP budgets and other data over time helps us advocate for more resources. Participating programs will be mailed a $125 check after completing the survey. Check your inbox for an email invitation from Lynn Wenger via [email protected] and review the FAQs for more information, available in English and Spanish. If you have not received a survey invitation or can’t find yours, you can request one here. Respond today with your experiences!

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+ CONFERENCES AND EVENTS: 

-The Penington Institute is gearing up for International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), happening August 31, 2025. Learn more about the campaign and how to get involved here.

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-Registration for Drug Policy Alliance’s Reform Conference happening November 12 through November 15, 2025, in Detroit, Michigan, is now open! Learn more and register here.

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+ NEWS: Cutting federal naloxone funding is cruel and will prove costly — The so-called "War On Drugs" is an unwinnable one, where we funnel money into the carceral system and border control under the "tough on crime" ruse, while actively defunding life-saving health care — including harm reduction programs, services, and medications, like naloxone.

"This approach might sound tough, but it ignores two critical realities. First, the overwhelming majority of fentanyl trafficking in the U.S. is committed by American citizens, who made up 86.4 percent of federal fentanyl trafficking convictions in 2023. Second, the fentanyl is already here. No amount of border interdictions or supply-side crackdowns can prevent the thousands who will continue to die as illicit drug markets adapt to bypass enforcement measures," this piece in The Hill names.

Link: bit.ly/FederalNaloxoneFundingCuts


+ NEWS: They're in prison for dealing drugs. Here's what they say about Indy's fentanyl crisis — The racist so-called "War On Drugs" saves no one. As with U.S. prohibition of alcohol decades ago, criminalizing drug use leads to more death and destruction. One perspective that is almost never heard from in news media is the perspective of a person who sells drugs, despite the overlap of people who use drugs and also sell.

"'As a dealer, you want the people to come back. You don’t want everybody to die,' he said, referring to the lethality of fentanyl. 'If everybody dies, you’re not a dealer, you’re a killer,'" as shared in Indianapolis Star's coverage.

Content note: Some problematic/stigmatizing language used in coverage quote.

Link: bit.ly/DealersDontWantDeath


+ NEWS: New Report Shows US Drug Overdose Deaths Rising Again After Hopeful Decline — Adequately funding life-saving programs and services should be a no-brainer. When health care and other interconnected support for people who use drugs is cut or defunded, we lose more lives to overdose. With looming cuts to Medicaid and other critical health care systems and programs, we need all the support for harm reduction and associated services and supplies we can get.

"'America is still in the middle of an incredibly deadly [chaotic drug use] and overdose crisis,' Dr. Stephen Taylor, head of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, said in response to the latest CDC data. 'Reducing federal support for Medicaid — the largest payer of mental health and substance use disorder treatment — would be a sign of retreat,' Taylor added," as noted by KQED.

Link: bit.ly/ODRatesRising


+ NEWS: 'The work’s working’: Advocates call for continued investments in harm reduction — People have been using drugs for centuries. Harm reduction approaches are realistic and effective, and include listening to people who use drugs about their individual needs — all while saving lives from overdose and improving community health through disease prevention, wound care, connecting people to services, and so much more.

"The work’s working...we’re never going to see a day where drug use just ends, right? So that’s where harm reduction comes in to play and to make sure we are meeting people where they’re at," as noted in this Spectrum News 1 Kentucky coverage.

Link: bit.ly/ODDeclinesFromHarmReduction


+ NEWS: The World Needs Gender-Specific Tobacco Harm Reduction — In our patriarchal world, the needs of women are often overlooked or flat-out ignored. Together, we can move to change this in tobacco harm reduction and the larger harm reduction movement.

"Empowered women become advocates for change. By amplifying their voices in public health discussions, we can challenge the stigma surrounding smoking and harm reduction, paving the way for more inclusive and effective strategies. Women’s leadership in [tobacco harm reduction] advocacy will help ensure that future initiatives are better rooted in an understanding of the diverse realities of tobacco use," this Filter magazine story notes.

Link: bit.ly/TobaccoHarmReductionForWomen




SECTION 2: Emergent and Exciting Work

+ NHRC CELEBRATES LATEST PEER FOUNDATIONAL GRADUATES: NHRC is thrilled to celebrate our latest Peer Foundational Training Program graduates! From April through June, peers participated in weekly sessions covering a range of harm reduction topics including — but not limited to — overdose prevention, outreach, safer injection, HCV/hepatitis C, self care, safer sex and sex work, and LGBTQIA+ 101.


+ CREATING PATHWAYS TO CARE AND RECOVERY: NHRC’s Capacity Building and Training Development Manager Melissa Matheney and National Director of Capacity Building and Engagement Tanagra Melgarejo presented several sessions at the Pathways to Recovery Conference, organized by the Alaska Native Health Tribal Consortium, Alaska Department of Health and its division of behavioral health, and the Alaska Behavioral Health Association that addresses substance use and behavioral health challenges in Alaska. The conference brings together professionals, community leaders, and advocates to improve care through three educational tracks: Harm Reduction, Treatment and Recovery, and Connection to Care. This rewarding experience made it possible for Tanagra and Melissa to learn more about the incredible work of harm reduction practitioners and advocates in the state.


+ SPOTLIGHTING THE LIFE-SAVING WORK AT ONPOINT NYC: NHRC staff toured the life-saving facilities run by our friends at OnPoint NYC, where the first overdose prevention centers (OPCs) in the U.S. were established in 2021. The OPCs have since saved 2,000 lives, and served nearly 6,400 people. While OnPoint NYC is known for its groundbreaking OPCs, the organization offers a wide range of other services and supports, including clinical care like chronic condition management, HIV and hepatitis C testing, buprenorphine, wound care, counseling, drug checking, and addressing other health needs exacerbated by houselessness and loss of primary health care access. OnPoint NYC also operates drop-in centers where people who use drugs and other community members can grab a hot meal, shower, or do laundry, pick up safer use supplies and educational materials, or find community to connect with. The organization provides case management, professional development, and holistic services, including acupuncture, meditation, reiki, sound baths, and much more, including street outreach work. Learn more about OnPoint NYC here.

Link: onpointnyc.org/


+ FUNDING FOR LIFE-SAVING HEALTH CARE: Our partners at the San Francisco AIDS Foundation have shared a press release on behalf of End the Epidemics — of which NHRC is a member — applauding the life-saving funding of HIV prevention and LGBTQIA+ health in the fiscal year 2026 California state budget. Read more here.

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+ RESOURCES AND REPORTS:

-NHRC is excited to launch two new online modules free for NYC residents, LGB/TGNCNB 101 and Stigma 101! These modules are self-paced and take approximately 90 minutes. LGB/TGNCNB 101 is a module that explores health disparities LGB/TGNCNB people who use drugs and engage in sex work face, dispels myths, and provides strategies for affirming care. Stigma 101 is a module that explores stigma's roots, forms, and impact and offers tips to help create change. Learn more about the rest of our NYC online courses here, and see our full online learning center here.

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-The National Drug Early Warning System (NDEWS) is looking for submissions for emerging trends in drug use related to the combination of ketamine and fentanyl outside clinical settings. Learn more here.

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-A study titled "Drug use and sexual behaviors among women who inject drugs and use a syringe services program; Miami, Florida" published by the Harm Reduction Journal concluded that, "Findings support the need for gender-responsive harm reduction strategies, including bundled, trauma-informed services that integrate safer injection supplies, overdose prevention, reproductive and sexual healthcare, and peer-led education initiatives that also address the social and structural determinants of health—such as trauma, poverty, housing instability, stigma, criminalization, and relational dynamics." Read more here.

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-A research memo shared by the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at University of Pennsylvania looks at the estimated fatal overdoses due to Medicaid cuts in the so-called "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." As noted in the memo, it’s estimated that "156,000 people [will] lose access to treatment for opioid use disorder and that the overdose rate among that group will double, leading to approximately 1,000 additional fatal overdoses each year."

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-The Harm Reduction Journal published a piece, "U.S. substance use harm reduction efforts: a review of the current state of policy, policy barriers, and recommendations." See the findings and associated recommendations here.

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-The North Carolina Survivors Union has published a zine titled, "Beyond Naloxone," which outlines best practices to prevent the need for the overdose reversal medication in the first place. Check out the zine here.

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-The American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC) published an article looking at the disconnections between people living with HIV and health care providers, as well as associated impacts on their health and care access.

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-NHRC requests organizations add or update their information on the Naloxone Finder map in an effort to ensure the resource is up-to-date. To add a new program, click here. To update existing program information on the map, please fill out this form. We appreciate your support in spreading the word about these life-saving materials!

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+ FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES:

-SAMHSA has posted a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for a Hepatitis C Elimination Initiative Pilot. The purpose of the program "is to leverage existing health care institutions’ capacity to prevent, test for, treat, and cure Hepatitis C (HCV) in individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) and/or severe mental illness (SMI) – particularly in communities severely affected by homelessness – and to gain insights on effective ways to identify patients, complete treatment, and reduce reinfection." Applications are due August 1, 2025. Learn more here.

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-Reminder: Applications for the Health Care Advocates International (HCAI) Fund are due by September 30, 2025. Learn more and apply here.

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+ TRAININGS AND WEBINARS:

-NHRC is hosting a webinar series specifically designed for California Syringe Services Programs (SSPs). The series covers a range of topics, including compassionate overdose response, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) billing, harm reduction foundations, and CDPH harm reduction supplies distribution. The remaining training, "Can I Bill for That?!" is happening at 12 p.m. PT on October 14. For more information, email [email protected].

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-NHRC is thrilled to continue offering monthly Foundational Fridays training sessions, which focus on building basic knowledge about various intersectional public health issues. The free sessions, running from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. ET the last Friday of each month, are for providers, peers, and anyone in the harm reduction community as well as anyone looking to learn more about the field. To sign up for the August 29 session, "Overdose 101," click here. Stay tuned for updates about our latest Foundational Fridays series! For more information, contact Jose Martinez at [email protected].

Link:
bit.ly/2025Overdose101



If you support emergent and exciting work at National Harm Reduction Coalition, please join our community of monthly donors, the Harm Reduction Champions! Become a Harm Reduction Champion today.

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SECTION 3: Work for the Movement

+ ACR Health is hiring Harm Reduction Specialists.

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+ Black Lives Matter (BLM) Paterson is searching for a Harm Reduction Specialist (part-time).

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+ Challenges, Inc. is looking for a Harm Reduction Specialist.

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+ DPA is seeking a Federal Policy Manager.

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+ The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is looking to fill several positions, including:

-Assistant Director of Special Projects and Naloxone Distribution
-Unit Initiatives & Support Coordinator
-Assistant Director of Training Initiatives
-Assistant Director of Data and Technical Assistance
-Unit Initiatives & Support Coordinator
-Operations Manager

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+ OnPoint NYC is hiring for multiple roles, including:

-Certified Medical Assistant

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-Harm Reduction Specialist — Outreach and Public Safety Team (OPST)

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-Harm Reduction Specialist

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-Harm Reduction Specialist — Winnebago

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-MAT Navigator — HUB

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-Naloxone Associate

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-Overdose Prevention Specialist — Consumer Led Model, Washington Heights

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-Overdose Prevention Specialist — Medical Model, East Harlem

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-Part-time Registered Nurse

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-Responsible Person in Charge (RPIC)

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-Site Supervisor — Winnebago

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+ San Francisco AIDS Foundation is hiring a Health Educator.

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Hiring? Send us a note about open positions in harm reduction to [email protected] to have a job post shared here.


National Harm Reduction Coalition
243 Fifth Avenue
Box 529
New York, NY 10016
United States

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