Statement on NYS Senate Passage of Opioid and Overdose Prevention Legislation
Bronx, New York - “Our public health system needs to be grounded in community and evidenced-based care combined with a deep commitment to human agency and innovation.” stated Joyce Rivera, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of St. Ann’s Corner of Harm Reduction – a...
Separated at Birth
In an episode of last Week Tonight, John Oliver drew attention to the issue of bias in medicine. Specifically, he described how our healthcare system systematically treats women of color differently and noted the negative outcomes that result from that reality. In our own community of the Bronx, we face similar challenges…
Announcing Our New Board Member – Hector Diaz
Dear Reader, as a founding board member of SACHR, I can remember back to its origins as an underground syringe access program operating out of the trunk of our founder Joyce Rivera’s car. Nearly 30 years later, I am proud to continue to sit on the board and work…
The Threat of Prison
As harm reduction agencies expand toward addressing the psychological health of participants, prisons continue to entrap the most vulnerable members of our communities. Once incarcerated, the person often finds themselves in a destructive and repetitive cycle that can be damaging to their physical and mental wellbeing.
The Young Injectables
The Young Injectables uses real-life situations to provide a dialogue on how to stay healthy and safe while using drugs. Illustrated by U. A. Morrison, the series follows a group of heroes whose superpower is harm reduction.
The Rock Bottom Myth
How a misunderstood theory about addiction harms drug users and drug policy. Everyone is familiar with the concept. We see it in movies, books, and on stage. Someone’s life spirals downward until they are struck with a lightning bolt of clarity and begin to…
Opioid Roundtable with DA Clarke
A diverse group of Bronx community leaders gathered with DA Clarke to discuss issues surrounding the opioid crisis and public health.Our CEO and Founder Joyce Rivera was part of an Opioid Roundtable event with Bronx DA Darcel Clarke held at Metropolitan College. The...
HIV and the Bronx: What We’ve Learned
Reflecting on 30 years of working with the HIV population in the Bronx, we look at the challenges facing that community and the future of HIV/AIDS.
3 Reasons Why Drug Courts Won’t Help the Bronx
In 2017, the Bronx suffered the highest rate and number of deaths from drug overdoses of all the New York City boroughs. Last year, the city opened drug courts in the Bronx in an attempt to combat the opioid crisis. While it is true that drug courts represent a different approach than the traditional model, many of the most harmful trademarks of how our justice system treats drug users are preserved. Let’s take a look into what drug courts are, how they work, and why they will not help.
Drug Policy Doublethink
Whether or not one supports the disease model of addiction, it seems remarkable that the government is admitting in no uncertain terms that they are criminalizing the very people they claim are ill.