On the eve of the Issue 1 vote, Cindy Koumoutzis’ heart is with “those people” who she’s come to know and love
Says Cindy Koumoutzis of the family group Ohio CAN (Change Addiction Now): No matter what voters decide on Issue 1, we need to stay focused on mental health and why people self medicate.
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HIV transmission from IV drug use soars in Ohio, state health department reports
To control spread of disease, the Ohio Department of Health recommends people who inject drug be provided ‘reasonable access’ to sterile syringes and needles at pharmacies and local syringe exchange programs.
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Ohio Imprisonment Rate, 1880-2016. What’s happened to us?
Ohio’s imprisonment rate is 5x above the state’s historical level. The U.S. is roughly the same. Did you know this? What’s gone wrong?
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4 VIDEOS: Protect Ohio Families. Vote YES on Issue 1
Issue 1 would end imprisonment for most drug possession arrests Harm Reduction Ohio made four videos in support of Issue 1. This citizens' initiative would end imprisonment for drug possession (except in the largest amounts) and direct the savings to...
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Availability of Medication-Assisted Treatment increases in Ohio
But gaps remain and a costly bias to Vivitrol, the most expensive and least proven treatment, remains strong.
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“Ohio Meet Up” set for National Harm Reduction Conference in New Orleans
Harm Reduction Ohio will host the “Ohio Meet Up” for Ohio residents, natives and friends interested in harm reduction in the Buckeye State.
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Register for Ohio syringe program conference on Nov. 28-29 in Columbus
HRO will co-sponsor the two-day event with the Ohio state University College of Public Health, Equitas Health and the Harm Reduction Coalition. The program is aimed at health departments and community organizations involved in syringe programs or interested in starting them.
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Dylan Stanley named director of community outreach at Harm Reduction Ohio
Dylan Stanley, a brilliant and dynamic speaker, joins Harm Reduction Ohio as director of community outreach. Dylan is available to speak about harm reduction topics such as ending stigma and understanding the perspective of people who use drugs. She’ll stimulate your mind and light up the room.
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18 and counting: Another Ohio county starts syringe exchange
Darke County, near Dayton, is the 18th Ohio county to start a syringe program. The number of “needle exchanges” in Ohio is growing rapidly, helping to reduce HIV, hepatitis and overdose death among IV drug users.
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What Is Harm Reduction?
Harm reduction is a philosophy that supports drug policies based on science, compassion, health and human rights.
It uses pragmatic strategies that meet drug users “where they’re at” and all positive changes, even incremental ones. Harm reduction supports safer use of drugs — syringe programs, safe consumption sites and methadone, for example — and empowering people to live happy, healthy lives .
We believe in treating all people, including drug users, with respect and without stigma. We oppose criminalizing drugs and drug users.
Contact Harm Reduction Ohio
How much fentanyl will kill you?
A lot less than you think.
Be careful. Be very, very careful.
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Harm Reduction Ohio Videos
What is harm reduction?
Dennis Cauchon
President, Harm Reduction Ohio
Dennis is the founder of Harm Reduction Ohio. He created the 501(c)3 non-profit organization to advocate for drug policies that reduce overdose death, imprisonment and other drug war harms.
He is a former national reporter at USA TODAY and Knight Journalism Fellow at the University of Michigan Medical School. During his 35-year journalism career, he won various awards, including the Champion of Justice award and H.L. Mencken Award for Investigative Journalism for work on the drug war.
“I believe all people, including drug users, should be treated peacefully and with respect,” he says.
Dennis is the father of two boys and lives in Granville, Ohio.
Taylor Bennett
Director of Advocacy
Taylor has a master of science degree in human development and family sciences from the University of Wyoming. She’s won multiple awards for academic excellence and received her undergraduate degree at Morehead State University in her native Kentucky. (Go Eagles!:)
Taylor is married to her college sweetheart, who she’s known since pre-school. She has two adorable boys and divides her time between Columbus and Greenfield, Ohio.
Best Interest of the Children
Four short videos on Issue 1
Help Save Lives