Undoing Drugs: A Conversation with Maia Szalavitz
Maia Szalavitz, author of Undoing Drugs: The Untold Story of Harm Reduction and the Future of Addiction, discussed the story of harm reduction and its potential to tame the opioid crisis, mitigate future drug problems, and quell other pandemics, in conversation with Lawson Koeppel, co-founder of Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition.
Watch the video of this event here:
This event was the first in a two-part series developed in collaboration with the Community Mental Health and Wellness Coalition as a part of National Recovery Month. At 4:00pm on September 30, the Coalition will host a panel discussion with local harm reduction champions, which will be moderated by Erin Tucker, executive director of On Our Own.
"The concept itself is surprisingly simple. Harm reduction applies the core of the Hippocratic oath—first, do no harm—to addiction treatment and drug policy… In essence, harm reduction is radical empathy."
Maia Szalavitz, Undoing Drugs
"With characteristic flair Maia Szalavitz presents a vibrant personal account of recovery, a broadly researched history of how a fringe idea transformed into a powerful therapeutic and social movement, and a heartfelt, irrefutable call for a sane and humane approach to the devastation of substance addiction."―Gabor Maté, MD, author of In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters With Addiction
"One of the most inspiring and remarkable stories you will ever read. Small groups of stigmatized people all over the world pioneered a totally new approach to drugs and addiction—and they saved millions of lives. Their incredible story has not been told—until now. If everyone in the US read this book, the drug war and so many drug myths would end tomorrow."—Johann Hari, New York Times bestselling author of Chasing The Scream
"Deeply researched and character-driven, Undoing Drugs is vivid social history."―The Wall Street Journal
Thanks to our community partners for this event: Community Mental Health and Wellness Coalition, Virginia Harm Reduction Coalition
Books & Literature • On-Demand Video • Non-Fiction, Virtual Programming
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