Midwest Harm Reduction Institute

01/02/2026

Medetomidine, a veterinary sedative, mixed into fentanyl has sent thousands to hospitals, not only for overdose but for life-threatening withdrawal. It is spreading to other cities.

12/19/2023

Start 2024 by going back in time with NHRC's Lighthouse Learning Collective! Join Lighthouse on Jan. 12 for "Q***r History of Harm Reduction Part 2," happening from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. EST. The session will be recorded and have live ASL interpretation. Register today: bit.ly/LLSeries4

12/18/2023

01/14/2023

As if we need yet another reason to end this war on people and instead provide safe access & supplies toward less harm & risks in self and community care. When if not now? What more will it take? Compassion & care could be the hallmark fingerprints of humanity & solutions, and end violence & judgment.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/07/health/fentanyl-xylazine-drug.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&fbclid=IwAR0Q28biKOx1ZJsd34mapilb34firR6wcdxQQQgzcaB08uLVkIilwT90wM8&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

A veterinary tranquilizer called xylazine is infiltrating street drugs, deepening addiction, baffling law enforcement and causing wounds so severe that some result in amputation.

01/14/2023

https://www.inquirer.com/health/opioid-addiction/supervised-consumption-site-opioid-overdose-crisis-new-york-philadelphia-20230103.html?fbclid=IwAR3qChFDls1dexK-RXKTekNHS9VYVXnqJH_lzbtPfJ2m0GA3kxGPnDw4oEs&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

Since last November, New York’s sites together have served more than 2,100 people using drugs nearly 50,000 times. No one has died there.

01/14/2023

12/27/2022

https://www.instagram.com/p/CmpTdgoPmEb/?igshid=Zjc2ZTc4Nzk=

11/18/2022

https://harmreduction.org/news/dope-sro-project/

The DOPE SRO (single-resident occupancy) initiative created in 2020 and expanded in 2021 addresses the rising number of opioid-related overdoses by people who use drugs and live alone.

07/17/2022

Love doesn’t enable addiction.

06/30/2022

Calling San Francisco and other places “failed” cities for liberal policies is bad journalism. At worst, it exacerbates harm.

04/25/2022

The Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot provides cash relief to residents impacted by COVID-19. 5,000 households will be selected by random lottery to receive $500/month for 12 months. Visit chicago.gov/cashpilot for eligibility requirements and to apply.