Join us for a discussion on the current state of the opioid overdose epidemic in Texas, harm reduction based approaches, and policy responses at the Texas legislature. A harm reduction-based approach can help people who use drugs experience a higher quality of life, obtain access to treatment, and get on a road to recovery when they are ready. Harm reduction principles are based in recognizing the humanity of people who use drugs, eliminating the stigma and harms associated with drug use, and improving quality of life without judgment or barriers. We will consider how state laws can enable life-saving and health-promoting initiatives like syringe service programs.

Speakers include Claire Zagorski, MSc, LP and Program Coordinator for the PhARM (Pharmacy Addictions Research & Medicine) program of the University of Texas College of Pharmacy, and Ranjana Natarajan, Clinical Law Professor and Director of the Civil Rights Clinic at the University of Texas School of Law.

Introducing the talk will be Professor Lori Holleran Steiker, UT Regents & Distinguished Professor and Steve Hicks Professor of Addiction and Substance Abuse Services at the UT Steve Hicks School of Social Work and Associate Dean & Director of Instruction, Engagement & Wellness, UT School of Undergraduate Studies.

The talk, which is the annual Steve Hicks Addiction and Substance Abuse Services event, is co-sponsored by: the Steve Hicks School of Social Work, the UT College of Pharmacy PhARM program, the Civil Rights Clinic at the School of Law, Dell Medical School Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Health Communication, UT SHIFT, and Texas Harm Reduction Alliance.

A recent report by the University of Texas School of Law Civil Rights Clinic and Texas Harm Reduction Alliance is available at https://law.utexas.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2021/01/2021-CvRC-harmreduction_report.pdf.

HARM REDUCTION: POLICIES AND PATHWAYS TO HEALTHIER TEXANS