Weekly action items and updates from GHC #FairShare4Harlem
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| STRIVING FOR A HARLEM WHERE ALL PEOPLE CAN THRIVE
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| THE DATA FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA Safer Supply and Increased Overdose Hospitalizations |
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| In 2020, the Canadian province of British Columbia legislated that state funded, free medical opioid prescriptions - including fentanyl - could be provided to drug users. The "Safer Opioid Supply" program encouraged participants to use the government regulated/produced "safe supply" opioids and not to use street drugs. A new study in JAMA Internal Medicine details how "Safer Opioid Supply" increased hospitalizations and deaths from overdoses when British Columbia is examined in comparison with other Canadian provinces.
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| In absolute as well as relative numbers, overdoses jumped after the implementation of "Safer Opioid Supply". The rise in hospitalizations reached statistical significance compared to control provinces, while the number of overdose deaths did not.
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| BC represents a test case for progressive drug legalization strategies. For over a decade, BC focused on "harm reduction" - accepting use cannot be stopped, and efforts to stigmatize use increase risk. |
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| For drug advocates, this evidence that the introduction of "safe supply" has paralleled an increase on overdose deaths, has only led to a doubling-down on harm reduction policy positions. British Columbia looks likely to continue to supply free opioids to drug users in the near future, despite evidence of a relative rise in fatal overdoses in the province.
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| WHAT IS BUPRENORPHINE? And How Does It Work |
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| Studies of patterns in the distribution of medication assisted treatment (MAT) have repeatedly revealed racial bias. White people are more likely to be prescribed buprenorphine, while patients of color are more likely to be offered methadone. And, while methadone is highly effective, buprenorphine use is less taxing on the patient and generally a less onerous MAT option. The chart below shows the racial difference in buprenorphine prescriptions: |
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| The video, below, explains what buprenorphine is, and how it works in our brains to help people feel well and not crave using additional opioids. |
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| CAMPAIGN FORUMS The East Harlem NYS Assembly Candidates
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| To hear from the East Harlem candidates for New York State's Assembly race on Tuesday, April 30 at 7:00 PM, register HERE. |
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| CAMPAIGN FORUMS The Central Harlem NYS Assembly Candidates
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| To hear from the Central Harlem candidates for New York State's Assembly race on Wednesday, May 1st at 7:00 PM, register HERE. |
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