Laura G
@laurag64.bsky.social
Executive Director at the National Harm Reduction Coalition. Harm reductionist, human rights and social justice activist and organizer and lover of our people. Born in Argentina and raised in the SF Bay Area 💙
Abstinence-based programs can kill 🩵
UCSF doctors warn: Abstinence-only approach to drug use can kill
As San Francisco politicians increasingly embrace abstinence-first approaches to substance abuse, four UCSF doctors issued a note of caution.
missionlocal.org
March 28, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Abstinence-based programs can kill 🩵
Reposted by Laura G
Trump administration says it wants to fight fentanyl, but it’s slashing budget to fight opioid overdoses
www.statnews.com/2025/03/27/s...
www.statnews.com/2025/03/27/s...
Trump administration says it wants to fight fentanyl, but it’s slashing budget to fight opioid overdoses
If SAMHSA’s footprint shrinks, will the agency and the country be prepared to respond to a new behavioral health crisis altogether?
www.statnews.com
March 27, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Trump administration says it wants to fight fentanyl, but it’s slashing budget to fight opioid overdoses
www.statnews.com/2025/03/27/s...
www.statnews.com/2025/03/27/s...
What prohibition does 🩵
Medetomidine is replacing xylazine in Philly street fentanyl − creating new hurdles for health care providers and drug users
An emergency physician and nurse scientist explain what medetomidine is and how to respond if someone is overdosing on it.
theconversation.com
March 27, 2025 at 3:31 PM
What prohibition does 🩵
In Thailand, arresting those that use nicotine vapes. Weirdoes.
More police raids and arrests in Thailand have targeted both sales and personal possession of nicotine vapes.
Harm reduction advocate Asa Saligupta is on a committee presenting legalization recommendations to lawmakers today.
@kiransidhu41.bsky.social reports:
Harm reduction advocate Asa Saligupta is on a committee presenting legalization recommendations to lawmakers today.
@kiransidhu41.bsky.social reports:
Thailand Cracks Down Harder on Vape Possession. Is There Hope?
As law enforcement raids sweep a country which has had total prohibition for over a decade, harm reduction advocates haven't given up.
filtermag.org
March 20, 2025 at 3:39 PM
In Thailand, arresting those that use nicotine vapes. Weirdoes.
Reposted by Laura G
More police raids and arrests in Thailand have targeted both sales and personal possession of nicotine vapes.
Harm reduction advocate Asa Saligupta is on a committee presenting legalization recommendations to lawmakers today.
@kiransidhu41.bsky.social reports:
Harm reduction advocate Asa Saligupta is on a committee presenting legalization recommendations to lawmakers today.
@kiransidhu41.bsky.social reports:
Thailand Cracks Down Harder on Vape Possession. Is There Hope?
As law enforcement raids sweep a country which has had total prohibition for over a decade, harm reduction advocates haven't given up.
filtermag.org
March 20, 2025 at 3:02 PM
More police raids and arrests in Thailand have targeted both sales and personal possession of nicotine vapes.
Harm reduction advocate Asa Saligupta is on a committee presenting legalization recommendations to lawmakers today.
@kiransidhu41.bsky.social reports:
Harm reduction advocate Asa Saligupta is on a committee presenting legalization recommendations to lawmakers today.
@kiransidhu41.bsky.social reports:
Restricting the supply of safer smoking supplies will force more drug users to share supplies, leading to the spread of diseases, and cause people to smoke less and inject more. Some studies suggest that injecting fentanyl results in a higher risk of overdose than smoking. 🩵
Mayor Daniel Lurie is going after a new target in S.F.’s drug crisis: Free pipes and foil
Mayor Daniel Lurie is going after a new target in S.F.’s drug crisis: Free pipes and foil
www.sfchronicle.com
March 20, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Restricting the supply of safer smoking supplies will force more drug users to share supplies, leading to the spread of diseases, and cause people to smoke less and inject more. Some studies suggest that injecting fentanyl results in a higher risk of overdose than smoking. 🩵
None of this would have been possible without our strong peer as a lot of people who are running recovery centers, a lot of people who are in recovery, but also a lot of harm reductionists. A lot of people have shifted their very recovery-focused work to look at harm reduction. ❤
Inside Rhode Island’s Pioneering Overdose Prevention Center
Filter sits down for an extensive interview with the co-director of the nation's first state-sanctioned OPC, which just began operations.
filtermag.org
March 4, 2025 at 6:58 PM
None of this would have been possible without our strong peer as a lot of people who are running recovery centers, a lot of people who are in recovery, but also a lot of harm reductionists. A lot of people have shifted their very recovery-focused work to look at harm reduction. ❤
Absurdity knows no bounds. Our communities are painfully aware that police can be found guilty of gross and routine misconduct, abuse, and violence against the communities tasked to protect and serve and still have the audacity to request and be granted more resources to continue harmful behavior 💜
“The absurdity knows no bounds,” responds one local advocate.
“What the community is saying is, they do not feel safe with Trenton police—hard stop,” says another, calling for "more investments in community-led crisis alternatives."
Alexander Lekhtman reports:
“What the community is saying is, they do not feel safe with Trenton police—hard stop,” says another, calling for "more investments in community-led crisis alternatives."
Alexander Lekhtman reports:
After Police Abuse Findings, Trenton Mayor Wants More Police Funding
The response to a damning DOJ investigation includes seeking to hire more cops. Advocates have other ideas to invest in public safety.
filtermag.org
March 4, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Absurdity knows no bounds. Our communities are painfully aware that police can be found guilty of gross and routine misconduct, abuse, and violence against the communities tasked to protect and serve and still have the audacity to request and be granted more resources to continue harmful behavior 💜
Do gun manufacturers in the United States bear responsibility for thousands of murders by drug trafficking organizations in Mexico? The Mexican government is suing companies for $10 billion in damages. The outcome could have dramatic implications for US-Mexico relations and the drug war. 💜
Mexico's Lawsuit Against US Gunmakers Reaches Supreme Court
Arguments begin March 4. The case pertains to drug trafficking-related violence in Mexico, with big implications for US-Mexico relations.
filtermag.org
February 27, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Do gun manufacturers in the United States bear responsibility for thousands of murders by drug trafficking organizations in Mexico? The Mexican government is suing companies for $10 billion in damages. The outcome could have dramatic implications for US-Mexico relations and the drug war. 💜
The centrist Social Democratic Party earned record low results, with 16 percent, and Green Party centrists lost a significant number of votes. U.S. Democrats must learn from their mistakes, and take notes from Germany’s left-wing party, the only party to dramatically exceed expectations on Sunday. 💜
Grow a Spine: Democrats Have a Lot to Learn From the German Left
The German elections show we don’t need to moderate fascism, we need to oppose it.
theintercept.com
February 27, 2025 at 5:40 PM
The centrist Social Democratic Party earned record low results, with 16 percent, and Green Party centrists lost a significant number of votes. U.S. Democrats must learn from their mistakes, and take notes from Germany’s left-wing party, the only party to dramatically exceed expectations on Sunday. 💜
Thank you, @clairezagorski.bsky.social ❣️
Surviving an overdose can be excruciating. New research suggests it doesn’t have to be
Naloxone is a fantastic tool in reducing opioid deaths, but gentler versions would be helpful for fighting overdose
www.salon.com
February 27, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Thank you, @clairezagorski.bsky.social ❣️
Reposted by Laura G
I made this the other night while procrastinating, mainly because I thought all the posts about the blackout were boring. It feels like there is momentum bringing people together!
February 27, 2025 at 1:39 AM
I made this the other night while procrastinating, mainly because I thought all the posts about the blackout were boring. It feels like there is momentum bringing people together!
Reposted by Laura G
B.C. researchers studied opioid agonist therapy during incarceration and non-fatal overdose after release
OAT medications like methadone or buprenorphine help to manage opioid withdrawal symptoms
Those who received OAT had a 45% lower risk of non-fatal overdose in the month after release ♥️
OAT medications like methadone or buprenorphine help to manage opioid withdrawal symptoms
Those who received OAT had a 45% lower risk of non-fatal overdose in the month after release ♥️
“Those who received OAT had a 45% lower risk of non-fatal overdose in the month after release”
#DrugSky
#DrugSky
February 26, 2025 at 5:27 AM
B.C. researchers studied opioid agonist therapy during incarceration and non-fatal overdose after release
OAT medications like methadone or buprenorphine help to manage opioid withdrawal symptoms
Those who received OAT had a 45% lower risk of non-fatal overdose in the month after release ♥️
OAT medications like methadone or buprenorphine help to manage opioid withdrawal symptoms
Those who received OAT had a 45% lower risk of non-fatal overdose in the month after release ♥️
Except that I did not say 'while slowing the rate of fentanyl entering the country is a good idea' 💙
A group fighting the fentanyl crisis says Trump's tariffs could make the problem worse
Trump's tariffs on Mexico and Canada, aimed at curbing fentanyl flow, may worsen the crisis by spiking overdoses, a harm reduction advocate warns.
www.businessinsider.com
February 19, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Except that I did not say 'while slowing the rate of fentanyl entering the country is a good idea' 💙
The Worcester City Council voted to approve the new resolution amid the barrage of attacks Trump has launched against trans people and prompted by allegations from Worcester’s first openly nonbinary city councillor, of bigotry from fellow council members. 💜
The declaration is largely symbolic, but means the city will not expend resources on prosecuting anyone for pursuing gender-affirming care.
By @uncagedcritique.bsky.social:
By @uncagedcritique.bsky.social:
Worcester, MA, Joins Short List of Transgender Sanctuary Cities
The declaration is largely symbolic, but means the city will not expend resources on prosecuting anyone for pursuing gender-affirming care.
filtermag.org
February 19, 2025 at 4:07 PM
The Worcester City Council voted to approve the new resolution amid the barrage of attacks Trump has launched against trans people and prompted by allegations from Worcester’s first openly nonbinary city councillor, of bigotry from fellow council members. 💜
100%. SF has its own Trump lite.
The game of “Who said it – Trump or an SF Democrat?” is getting far more difficult to play
Opinion: When SF Democrats start to sound like Trump - 48 hills
Too many local officials are pretending to be tough and embracing tech billionaires.
48hills.org
February 19, 2025 at 6:29 AM
100%. SF has its own Trump lite.
The CFPB was established by the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act, a sweeping piece of legislation that imposed significant regulatory reform in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. Its remit is to protect consumers from unfair or deceptive financial practices.
I'm hearing now that *every* technologist CFPB hired to investigate Big Tech was fired this evening. That's somewhere between 70-100 people.
wired.com/story/dozens-of-cfpb-workers-terminated-in-after-hours-firing-blitz/
wired.com/story/dozens-of-cfpb-workers-terminated-in-after-hours-firing-blitz/
Dozens of CFPB Workers Fired in After-Hours Blitz
Some affected employees of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau were notified with an email that addressed them as [EmployeeFirstName][EmployeeLastName], [Job Title], [Division].
wired.com
February 14, 2025 at 2:41 PM
The CFPB was established by the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act, a sweeping piece of legislation that imposed significant regulatory reform in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. Its remit is to protect consumers from unfair or deceptive financial practices.
Every dollar that we are spending on so-called border security and police and law enforcement is a dollar we are not spending on addressing the housing crisis, mental health or employment programs. 🩵
Trudeau Promises Canada "Fentanyl Czar" to Avoid Trump Tariffs
Filter spoke with Nicholas Boyce of the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition to better understand impact of Trudeau's unexpected announcement.
filtermag.org
February 14, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Every dollar that we are spending on so-called border security and police and law enforcement is a dollar we are not spending on addressing the housing crisis, mental health or employment programs. 🩵
Reposted by Laura G
Trans rights are human rights.
February 14, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Trans rights are human rights.
As immigrant communities, families, allies, and activists think about what can be done to shift policy and protect people, one thing is certain: similar to filming the police as they operate, you have the right to film ICE, as long as you are not obstructing official duties. 🩵
Law enforcement exercising their official duties in public do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy. This includes ICE agents. As long as you are not interfering with their duties, you generally have a right to record them on duty.
Yes, You Have the Right to Film ICE
Across the United States, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has already begun increasing enforcement operations, including highly publicized raids. As immigrant communities, families, allies, ...
www.eff.org
February 13, 2025 at 7:16 AM
As immigrant communities, families, allies, and activists think about what can be done to shift policy and protect people, one thing is certain: similar to filming the police as they operate, you have the right to film ICE, as long as you are not obstructing official duties. 🩵
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement plans to monitor and locate “negative” social media discussion about the agency and its top officials, according to contract documents reviewed by The Intercept. 🩵
ICE Wants to Know If You’re Posting Negative Things About It Online
ICE wants to hire contractors to monitor social media for threats. Those who criticize the agency could be pulled into the dragnet.
theintercept.com
February 11, 2025 at 11:20 PM
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement plans to monitor and locate “negative” social media discussion about the agency and its top officials, according to contract documents reviewed by The Intercept. 🩵
The opioid death rate here is roughly one-twentieth the rate in the United States. The country has become a model for a highly effective, evidence-based policy response to a drug epidemic 🩵
Switzerland had a drug overdose crisis. Then it made methadone easy to get
Switzerland has an overdose death rate that is roughly one-twentieth the rate in the United States. It got there by opening up treatment.
www.statnews.com
February 11, 2025 at 1:59 AM
The opioid death rate here is roughly one-twentieth the rate in the United States. The country has become a model for a highly effective, evidence-based policy response to a drug epidemic 🩵
Members of Congress have signaled they will try to limit immigrants’ eligibility for federal programs that improve their families’ access to health, food, and shelter and eligibility for the Affordable Care Act and Child Tax Credits. Immigrants are already excluded from most of these programs 🩵
🚨Congress wants to increase immigration enforcement & defense spending while slashing vital federal programs for families.
Immigrants — already excluded from many federal programs — could face even harsher limits on health care, food, and tax credits.⤵️
www.nilc.org/articles/exi...
Immigrants — already excluded from many federal programs — could face even harsher limits on health care, food, and tax credits.⤵️
www.nilc.org/articles/exi...
Existing Restrictions on Immigrants’ Eligibility for Federal Assistance Leave Little Left to Cut
Congressional leaders are considering legislation that would increase the deficit due to higher spending on immigration enforcement and defense programs while renewing and expanding tax breaks.
www.nilc.org
February 11, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Members of Congress have signaled they will try to limit immigrants’ eligibility for federal programs that improve their families’ access to health, food, and shelter and eligibility for the Affordable Care Act and Child Tax Credits. Immigrants are already excluded from most of these programs 🩵
Experts said that the finding that cats might have passed the virus to people was not entirely unexpected. But they were alarmed that the finding had not yet been released to the public. 🩵 Keep your cats indoors if possible 🩵
U.S. CDC Posts, Then Deletes, Data on Bird Flu Spread Between Cats and People. The data confirmed transmission in two households. Scientists called on the agency to release the full report, by @apoorvanyt.bsky.social @emilyanthes.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/02/06/h... via @nytimes.com #H5N1
CDC Posts, Then Deletes, Data on Bird Flu Transmission Between Cats and People
The data, which appeared fleetingly online on Wednesday, confirmed transmission in two households. Scientists called on the agency to release the full report.
www.nytimes.com
February 7, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Experts said that the finding that cats might have passed the virus to people was not entirely unexpected. But they were alarmed that the finding had not yet been released to the public. 🩵 Keep your cats indoors if possible 🩵