Christopher Hawkins named scientific advisor of Harm Reduction Ohio
Christopher Hawkins, a recently retired research chemist, has agreed to be Harm Reduction Ohio's new scientific advisor. Chris will analyze science for us on many issues, from infectious disease rates to drug checking. On Tuesday, Chris joined HRO's syringe program...
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Ohio, it’s time: “Free the naloxone!”
Ohio has unnecessary laws and regulations limiting naloxone access. These policies have likely contributed to Ohio’s high overdose death rate. It’s time to let properly trained laypersons hand out naloxone. Other states have done this — and it makes a big difference.
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Free Naloxone for people in need with nowhere else to turn
In a new service to save lives, Harm Reduction Ohio will provide free intramuscular naloxone to Ohio residents. The program is aimed at the at-risk community of people who use drugs and those who live, love and work with them.
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Agenda for HRO’s “Family Matters” conference on Saturday, April 6
Co-sponsored by Ohio CAN (Change Addiction Now) Big crowd coming. Don't miss it! (We'll fit you in somehow.) REGISTER FOR CONFERENCE...
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Ohio Department of Health recommends: Provide access to sterile syringes
Most people know the CDC recommends syringe programs to reduce the spread of HIV and hepatitis. But few realize that the Ohio Department of Health also made a strong recommendation along these lines in October. The Licking County Board of Health vote to outlaw syringe programs is out of step with state and federal health authorities.
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HRO President Dennis Cauchon on InFocus talking about syringe programs and reducing hepatitis
Harm Reduction Ohio President Dennis Cauchon appeared on Spectrum News 1's InFocus show to talk about the recent outbreak of hepatitis in Columbus and other parts of Ohio and the role syringe programs play in controlling these outbreaks. The news channel is a service...
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Overdose deaths soar among blacks in Ohio
The rate of black overdose deaths is now nearly identical to that of whites. This epidemic is no longer mostly a white thing. What’s driving the increase in black deaths? Is race playing a role in government’s response to this epidemic vs. crack cocaine in the 1980s?
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“Heroine of Heroin” Tracey Helton will be a featured speaker at Harm Reduction Ohio’s “Family Matters” conference
Come meet Tracey Helton Mitchell, an Ohio native turned San Francisco heroin addict turned harm reduction legend.
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Newspaper editorial: “Licking County Health Board’s needle exchange vote was cowardly.”
The Newark (Ohio) Advocate newspaper published this editorial today under the headline: "Our view: Licking County Health Board's needle exchange vote was cowardly." A public body that is supposed to be looking out for the overall health of the community should invite...
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How much fentanyl will kill you?
A lot less than you think.
Be careful. Be very, very careful.
Art by Hannah Weatherington
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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.