Eddie attends workshop at New York Harm Reduction Educators (NYHRE) in Harlem, NYC, where participants chant, "We are the Medicine", repetitiously during a group counseling session.
Harlem, NYC. 2017.
Aida prays while being cleansed with sage during a "We Are the Medicine" session at NYHRE. Harlem, NYC. 2016.
Participants chanting during a session of We Are the Medicine at NYHRE. Their mission is to is "devoted to promoting the health, safety and well-being of marginalized, low-income persons who use drugs or engage in sex work, their loved ones and their communities." Harlem, NYC. 2016
Dawn (c), youth leader at THE POINT in Hunts Point, receives acupuncture from Rafael Rivera who volunteers with Hunts Point Heals to offer free acupuncture to youth. Bronx, NYC. 2017.
A NYHRE participant practices self-defense at NYHRE during a weekly session for women. Harlem, NYC 2016.
Pops has been hosting crack smokers in his home for many years. Bronx, NYC. 2015.
Bronx, NYC. 2015.
Syringe exchange is one of the tactics used to ensure drug users are shooting intravenous drugs safely.
Bronx, NYC. 2017.
Acxel Barbosa does volunteer sex worker outreach on friday nights after he gets out of his day job at NYHRE. Bronx, NYC. 2017.
Outreach to street workers is an integral part of harm reduction. By working in collaboration with other institutions like colleges and universities, the New York Harm Reduction Educators are able to both research and directly connect with clients must susceptible to contracting disease or dying of an overdose.
Bronx, NYC. 2017.
Maria is a regular client of NYHRE's. She is well-regarded and respected by other street workers and harm reduction outreach workers alike. She typically offers vital information about trends she encounters like teen's being pimped against their will, and where fentanyl-laced heroine is being sold.
Bronx, NYC. 2017.
Mixtures of heroin and fentanyl have been the leading causes of overdoses in America. Fentanyl is up to 6 times stronger than heroine. East Harlem, NYC. 2016.
Michelle holds up a picture of the newspaper article detailing the death of her nephew, to drug related violence.
Bronx, NYC. 2017.
NYHRE. East Harlem, NYC, 2017.
Bronx, NYC. 2017.
S has been using heroine and crack for 40 years, and as a second generation user, he understands the importance of spaces to shoot and use safely. Bronx, NYC. 2017.
Mike, who has lived in the Bronx for years, uses his home as a shooting gallery. He says he has helped keep dozens of people safe through the years and has dealt with overdose on multiple occasions. As an opioid user himself, he understands the potential perils of heroine use, but admits to enjoying his drug use throughout the years. Bronx, NYC. 2017.
Walter Bosque is an original member of the Young Lords and grew up in the Hunts Point area. For over 40 years, he has been offering free tai-chi and acupuncture to individuals battling their addiction. Bronx, NYC. 2017.
Physical barriers like the Bruckner Expressway keep people disconnected physically and mentally. Bronx, NYC. 2012.