01/18/2024
In 2016, I lost my little cousin Kevin Ortiz to accidental drug poisoning from Fentanyl. I was overwhelmed with every imaginable emotion, but most of all, I was shocked that I didn't know about what was happening and how I could prevent others from experiencing the same tragedy.
To be honest, I didn’t even know how to start the conversation with my family - let alone with strangers. However, after many long conversations with Daliah Heller, she convinced me to explore what could happen if we took a community-led approach to everyday conversations about drug use, harm reduction, and providing support, connection, and resources to the communities most affected by the opioid epidemic.
It's been a few years now, and with the support of NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene we're in our 4th Radical Health Circle fellowship cohort. In these cohorts, we train community members (shoutout to Tamara Oyola Santiago, Nuri Pie, Evelyn Alvarez and the other incredible trainers over the years) to facilitate these discussions within their circles of friends, family, and neighbors.
These sometimes daunting conversations focus on the impact of drug use on individuals and their communities, and we learn ways to support each other while also teaching important harm reduction techniques. Through our circles, participants become more connected, build trust, develop greater empathy for people who use drugs, and are better equipped to contribute to a more connected, healthier community.
Applications for our 2024 fellowship cohorts are now open. Please apply or share this opportunity with someone in NYC who would be a great fit.
Life can be overwhelming right now, and some of our communities are grappling with issues like drug use and overdoses. We understand firsthand how challenging it is to discuss these issues while remaining connected and supportive.
