I am a harm reduction strategist that specializes in the design and implementation of health services that support autonomy and survival for people who use drugs.  I provide training and technical assistance for organizations expanding or establishing harm reduction services. As co-founder of the fourth authorized syringe exchange program in the United States, I have developed and implemented groundbreaking harm reduction services for over thirty years.  I am a founding member of the National Harm Reduction Coalition (NHRC) and the North American Syringe Exchange Network (NASEN). I am the co-author of Getting Off Right: A Safety Manual for Injection Drug Users and editor of junkphood, a series of zines created by and for people who use drugs.

I provide training and technical assistance for organizations expanding or establishing harm reduction services.

  • Soft tissue infections

    This training focuses on understanding and managing soft tissue infections, particularly abscesses, which are common among people who inject drugs. Participants will learn about the causes, symptoms, and potential complications of soft tissue infections, as well as practical strategies for preventing and managing these infections. This training emphasizes the importance of addressing stigma and barriers to seeking medical care.

  • Customize Bevel Up

    Bevel Up is a safer use resource created by and for people who use drugs.   We designed Bevel Up for community-based organizations, grassroots programs, health departments, and other groups running or supporting syringe services programs (SSPs) and other harm reduction services. Bevel Up includes three types of resources. Learn more about this resource and how to DIY!

  • Safer injection + vein care

    This training is designed to educate harm reduction providers on essential safer injection techniques and vein care with a focus on minimizing pain, preventing infection, and reducing injection-related complications such as septicemia, cellulitis, abscesses, endocarditis, and the transmission of HIV/HCV. This training is appropriate for individuals with and without a drug using history. 

  • How to talk about drugs

    It’s not enough to just know what to say when providing harm reduction options. Knowing how to engage people who use drugs in these conversations without exacerbating stigma and shame is equally important. This training will explore how providers can engage people who use drugs in conversations about safer drug use informed by harm reduction principles.

  • Fentanyl for providers

    This training reviews basic information about fentanyl and focuses on how to discuss harm reduction options surrounding fentanyl use. Participants will learn how to better engage clients in safer use and discussion on who would benefit from messaging around fentanyl risk.

  • Overdose response

    This training provides a comprehensive overview of overdose prevention, recognition and response, including administration of naloxone.

  • Overamping

    This training focuses on understanding and responding to overamping, a type of overdose specific to stimulant use. Participants will learn to identify the causes and symptoms of overamping, as well as how to assess and respond to both non-emergency and life-threatening situations. The training emphasizes harm reduction principles and aims to empower individuals who use drugs and those with lived experience to better prevent and manage overamping situations.

  • Glass. Foil.

    This training focuses on alternate routes of administration.

  • Policies & Procedures for SSP's

    This training will prepare harm reduction line staff for high-impact and high-volume service hours, focusing on role-based teamwork. Drawing from grassroots origins, the aim is to provide comprehensive, on-the-ground strategies for seamless operation ensuring participants receive optimal care in a supportive environment.