@HealthJusticePA

PA Coalition raising awareness on the intersection of substance use and the criminal legal system through a #HarmReduction lens | Organized by @elevyst/@aclupa

elevyst.com/hjpa
Joined March 2022
  • Tweets298
  • Following104
  • Followers122
75Media
Health Justice for PA retweeted
Prison Policy Initiative@PrisonPolicy30 Jan 2024
Medication-assisted treatment is the most effective treatment for opioid use disorder. But, it is the least common treatment option offered behind bars. Only 1% of people with SUD in state & federal prisons reported receiving MAT at any point since their admission.
Graphic showing percentages of jails offering different types of SUD treatment, and that only 19% of jails will initiate medication assisted treatment

ALT Graphic showing percentages of jails offering different types of SUD treatment, and that only 19% of jails will initiate medication assisted treatment

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Overdose prevention sites & other harm reduction services save lives & provide connection, community, & support to people who use drugs. Incarcerating people who use drugs exacerbates the overdose crisis at the expense of our communities. Pennsylvanians deserve better.
Image of two Black women with the arms around each other as they walk while smiling and laughing. Text of the image reads connection, not incarceration.

ALT Image of two Black women with the arms around each other as they walk while smiling and laughing. Text of the image reads connection, not incarceration.

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A new first of its kind study reveals that tens of thousands of Americans every year are wrongly implicated by field drug tests. The study found that almost 30,000 arrests stem from a false positive. nbcnews.com/nightly-news/vid…

Field drug tests wrongfully implicate tens of thousands of Americans every year, study finds

A new first of its kind study reveals that tens of thousands of Americans every year are wrongly implicated by field drug tests. The study found that almost 30,000 arrests stem from a false positive....

nbcnews.com
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“While treatment is a needed support for many people, it will never meet all the needs of everyone who uses drugs” filtermag.org/harm-reduction…

When People Ask Harm Reductionists, “What About Treatment?”

“What about treatment?” I’m commonly asked this question by well-intentioned folks when I say I am a harm reduction advocate, ...

filtermag.org
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Between 2019 and 2022, the commonwealth was home to the highest number of xylazine-related deaths in the country. Drug testing is helping to save lives and providing valuable information on the drug supply in Pennsylvania. post-gazette.com/news/health…

Pennsylvania is a national hotspot for xylazine, complicating overdose reversal efforts

Between 2019 and 2022, the state was home to the highest number of xylazine-related deaths in the country, per the CDC.

post-gazette.com
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People struggling with substance use disorder need support, not stigma. Stigma creates barriers to accessing services like health care, housing programs, and treatment that save lives. #SupportNotStigma
Photo with a blue overlay of two women on a swing set, facing each other and smiling. Between them is text reading "Support not stigma."

ALT Photo with a blue overlay of two women on a swing set, facing each other and smiling. Between them is text reading "Support not stigma."

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The criminal legal system punishes people who use drugs, perpetuating a cycle of trauma and harm. We need policies that are founded in evidence-based practices and provide support and reduce harm.
"We cannot ignore the face that the criminal legal system punishes people in perpetuity, unleashing thousands of collateral consequences that exacerbate drug use, addiction, and overdose death." Sean Fogler and Carla Sofronski

ALT "We cannot ignore the face that the criminal legal system punishes people in perpetuity, unleashing thousands of collateral consequences that exacerbate drug use, addiction, and overdose death." Sean Fogler and Carla Sofronski

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Mercer County commissioners reported that the county Opioid Settlement Committee has awarded nine grants worth $656,000 so far. sharonherald.com/news/county…

County disburses opioid settlement funds

MERCER – Mercer County commissioners reported that the county Opioid Settlement Committee has awarded nine grants worth $656,000 so far.

sharonherald.com
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Opioid Settlement Grant Funding Applications Open In Delaware County patch.com/pennsylvania/haver…

Opioid Settlement Grant Funding Applications Open In Delaware County

As part of the 2022 settlement, Delaware County will receive $63 million in 18 annual payments to take on the opioid epidemic locally.

patch.com
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Incarceration does not solve substance use disorder. Pennsylvania policy makers must prioritize evidence-based solutions. #HarmReduction #SubstanceUse
Incarceration is not a solution for substance use disorder. Health Justice for PA is a coalition focused on policy reform through a harm reduction lens organized by ACLU-PA and Elevyst.

ALT Incarceration is not a solution for substance use disorder. Health Justice for PA is a coalition focused on policy reform through a harm reduction lens organized by ACLU-PA and Elevyst.

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The drug supply is deadly and drug checking is an important public health strategy to protect lives.
Image of drug testing strips behind text reading, "The drug supply is deadly. Drug checking saves lives."

ALT Image of drug testing strips behind text reading, "The drug supply is deadly. Drug checking saves lives."

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Health Justice for PA is a coalition raising awareness on the intersection of drug use & the criminal legal system in Pennsylvania through a #HarmReduction lens. Visit our website to learn more and get involved: elevyst.com/hjpa
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“One woman's controversial fight to make America accept drug users for who they are” from @NPR: npr.org/2023/11/19/121253600…

One woman's controversial fight to make America accept drug users for who they are

Louise Vincent has used drugs since she was 13. Research shows millions of Americans like her aren't ready or able to stop. Vincent believes it's time people accept that.

npr.org
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Pennsylvanians like Ronald who are on probation and may be struggling with substance use need more support. Not more incarceration.
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NIDA Director Calls Abstinence-Only Approach “Catastrophic” for OD Crisis from @Filtermag_org: filtermag.org/nida-norah-vol…
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"The policies and strategies the US has historically pursued to combat drug use are not helping to address the overdose crisis, evidenced by the fact that overdose fatalities are continuing to rise."
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Pennsylvania is one of 12 states that do not implicitly or explicitly authorize syringe services programs through statute or regulation, according to a recent analysis. wesa.fm/politics-government/…

Opioid settlement money is supposed to expand syringe services. Pa.’s drug laws stand in the way.

Several charities in Pennsylvania provide syringe services in their communities despite a state law that puts them at risk.

wesanews.org
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Winter's chill is upon us in Pennsylvania! Stay warm and safe with these #HarmReduction tips: Bundle up in layers, keep spaces heated, stay dry to ward off cold risks. Let's prioritize well-being this season! ❄️ #WinterSafety #StayWarm
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“Curriculums that teach kids how to reduce the harms related to drug use can help save lives — but they're not a cure-all. This crisis requires a cultural shift. Educators, families and communities need to start having honest conversations about drug use.” npr.org/2023/11/09/121121746…

'Just say no' didn't actually protect students from drugs. Here's what could

For years, programs like D.A.R.E. told students to "just say no" to drugs. But research shows that approach alone didn't work. Now experts are backing a new approach that could help save lives.

npr.org
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The Chester County Dept of Drug & Alcohol Services is seeking input from folks who live or work in the county (especially those affected by opioids) to prioritize how opioid settlement funds will be used. The survey is open through 11/30: chesco.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?…

Chester County Department of Drug and Alcohol Services Seeks Input on Use of Opioid Settlement Funds

The Chester County Department of Drug and Alcohol Services is seeking input from everyone who lives or works in Chester County – especially those affected by opioids personally or professionally

chesco.org
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