The hottest Harm Reduction Substack posts right now

Research the drugs you take to stay safe. Some substances may seem harmless but can lead to very bad experiences.
Pay attention to dosage and be careful with potent substances. Taking too much can result in panic and fear, which can be hard to handle.
Alcohol can have serious negative effects, even if it's socially accepted. Recognizing its harmful aspects can help you make better choices.

Regulators have targeted kratom in attempts to ban it, but public backlash has prevented complete bans so far.
Kratom is seen as a tool for harm reduction due to its potential as an alternative to prescription painkillers, but it carries risks and should be used carefully.
Misinformation and misrepresentation of kratom-related deaths have fueled the stigma around the plant, highlighting the need for proper regulation and education rather than outright bans.

Colombian Tusi, also known as Pink Cocaine, is a highly variable mixture of substances like ketamine, MDMA, cocaine, and caffeine, often dyed pink.
Tusi originated as a knockoff of the rare and expensive drug 2-CB in an effort to fill a market gap in South America.
The drug Tusip is not to be confused with 2C-B, despite its phonetic similarity, and is created by mixing leftover drugs to produce a colorful and flavorful substance.

Designer drugs are synthetic substances meant to simulate the effects of known psychoactive drugs but with modified chemical structures to avoid legal restrictions.
Designer drugs pose inherent risks like dosing variability, impurities, unknown toxicity, and dangers from unscrupulous vendors, highlighting the importance of harm reduction practices.
The history of designer drugs spans decades, evolving through different eras with the introduction of AI-driven drug discovery, increased regulatory challenges, and a growing market of novel psychoactive substances.

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The number of fatal overdoses in Toronto remains high due to a toxic drug supply.
During the pandemic, lack of access to injection sites and community-based programs contributed to rising overdoses.
Pre-obtained drugs from the streets in Toronto have become more toxic, leading to a persisting crisis.

The Fifth Circuit court heard oral arguments in the Missouri v. Biden case revealing government coercion of social media companies.
US Attorney announced a crackdown on illegal supervised drug consumption sites in Harlem and San Francisco.
Michael Shellenberger will be joining Ireland's free speech advocates in Dublin to fight against the hate censorship bill.

Harm reduction focuses on compassion over punishment, preserving dignity for people who use drugs and creating healthier communities.
Key principles of harm reduction include meeting individuals where they are at, using practical strategies for drug use, and respecting personal autonomy of drug users.
Harm reduction strategies include education on safe practices, distribution of fentanyl test strips and Narcan, needle exchange programs, safe injection sites, medications for opioid use disorder, and safe sex education and supplies.

The author challenges the idea that drinking alone is always problematic, especially for those looking to reduce harm caused by alcohol consumption.
Having a group of 'drinking buddies' can provide a sense of camaraderie and protection from judgment when overindulging, but it can also reinforce unhealthy behaviors.
Limiting social drinking and occasionally drinking alone may help reduce potential harm and avoid embarrassing situations that can arise from excessive alcohol consumption.

Governments should provide drug safety information because it can save lives. When they treat users as criminals, it creates a lack of important information.
A project called the Drug Users Bible provides harm reduction information for drug users. This resource has been made available for free and has already been widely downloaded.
Everyone can help by sharing safety information and resources within their communities. If officials won't help, we can step up and support each other.