ROPS distribute NARCAN and fentanyl test strips, but how well do they reach people who use drugs?
What Do Tennessee’s Regional Overdose Prevention Specialists (ROPS) Do? Read More »
This 2015 state law protects Tennesseans from drug paraphernalia charges — but only under one circumstance.
Tennessee’s Drug Paraphernalia Immunity Law — T.C.A. § 40-7-124 Read More »
I live in Northwest Tennessee, also known as Region 6N by the state (at least as far as Regional Overdose Prevention Specialist jurisdiction is concerned), a nine-county region home to about 254,000 people. 2014 — that’s when I moved here. It’s also when I picked up opioids as my drug of choice. I’ve been using
Here in Tennessee, we ain’t got shit in the way of harm reduction. We’ve got six syringe services programs (SSP). And other than the often-exclusionary 12-step programs, the outdated rehabs, and the entirely-bullshit drug courts, probation, and parole programs, that’s about it. But why? Why is Tennessee — and much of the South, particularly the
Why Tennessee Lacks a Harm Reduction Infrastructure Read More »
Without laws, uncivil action would permeate society. Laws are essential to maintaining order. Few of us would be willing to live somewhere that doesn’t have laws or an active law enforcement presence. Unfortunately, across the United States, existing laws unfairly treat people who use drugs. This is especially true in Tennessee — take syringe laws
How Current Tennessee Laws Affect Drug Users Read More »
If you’re reading this, chances have it you probably support harm reduction or drug policy reform, if not both. While you likely wish things were different, there’s only one way to actively accelerate social change other than the inevitable passage of time — advocacy. Google defines “advocacy” as “public support for or recommendation of a
What Can You Do to Advocate for Harm Reduction and Drug Policy Reform Here in Tennessee? Read More »
Sometimes, I find used syringes littered astray in my small, rural, Tennessean town. Despite widespread sentiments held by residents, drug users aren’t to blame.
Why I Support Safe Syringe Disposal in Tennessee Read More »
Note: Since the publication of this article, I’ve been made aware of two Syringe Services Programs in West Tennessee. Both are in Memphis — A Betor Way and the Memphis Area Prevention Coalition’s SafePoint. Northwest Tennessee (NWTN) is home to just as many drug users as anywhere else, though not nearly as many — if any — resources that
Solutions to Northwest Tennessee’s Area-Specific Challenges Read More »
We’re in the midst of an opioid epidemic here in the United States. It’s worse here in Northwest Tennessee than most places across the country — not the worst, but it’s certainly not great. There are a few central reasons why opioid use here is so likely to result in overdose, if not death. First
Suboxone Is Too Difficult to Get Read More »
Martin, Tennessee, is in Weakley County, which borders Western Kentucky. Martin was home to roughly 10,543 people in 2017, says the United States Census Bureau, whereas Weakley County is likely currently home to some 33,400 residents. Fortunately, the Volunteer State allows syringe services programs (SSP) as long as they’re first sanctioned by the state to
Accessing Naloxone in Martin, Tennessee Read More »