Expand Harm Reduction Services to Address Impact of Overdose Crisis on Older Adults

• By: Ramona Cummings Alliance for Positive Change
• July 29th, 2024
• aging adults, harm reduction, naloxone distribution, opioid use disorder, overdose crisis, stigma, substance use disorder, Summer 2024 Issue
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The devastating impact of the overdose crisis in the United States has been well-documented, affecting people from all backgrounds, demographics, and geographic regions. The data tells us that one age group in particular has been overlooked in the overdose crisis – older adults. The rate...

Behavioral Health News Spotlight on Excellence: An Interview with Mary Brewster, Associate Commissioner for Harm Reduction at the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS)

• By: Staff Writer Behavioral Health News
• October 23rd, 2023
• addiction, buprenorphine, compassionate care, drug overdose deaths, Fall 2023 Issue, fentanyl testing, harm reduction, HIV/AIDS epidemic, life-saving care, low-threshold services, medication-assisted treatment, naloxone distribution, non-stigmatizing language, opioid epidemic, opioid use disorder, saving lives, stigma reduction, substance use disorder, syringe exchange programs
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Overview David Minot, Executive Director of Mental Health News Education, the non-profit organization that publishes Behavioral Health News, interviewed Mary Brewster, Associate Commissioner for Harm Reduction at the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS). The mission of...

Harm Reduction in Treatment: A Simplified Overview

• By: Meryl Camer, LCSW-R WellLife Network
• October 23rd, 2023
• arm reduction, compassionate care, Fall 2023 Issue, low-barrier solutions, medication-assisted treatment, naloxone, naloxone distribution, naloxone training, opioid overdose prevention, peer services, person-centered treatment, stigma reduction, substance use disorders, telehealth
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In the past, harm reduction was mainly associated with distributing clean needles to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2022), there were over 100,000 deaths related to drug overdoses in 2022. Treatment has evolved to...