Drug Users Think

AUTHOR AND CREATOR: Mikey G USU Crew WWW.NCURBANSURVIVORSUNION.ORG

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THINK DRUG USERS

Issue 03

DRUG USERS INTERNATIONAL

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Questions

Urban Survivors Union National Organizing Call

For the Union

The national organizing call is @ 6p West coast time

If am I am no longer an illicit drug user how

and 9pm East coast time every other Tuesday.

do I participate?

You may attend as a supporter. The only

The off Tuesday Go To Meeting is dedicated to a sex

requirement for membership is lived

worker organizing project, also hosted by the Urban

experience, and we do not outwardly identify

Survivors Union..

within our membership who is active/inactive.

Whether you are a person using some form of

If you must be late, join anyway. Getting to know

MAT, or a person in recovery from substance

advocates around the country has been amazing

use, or a person who uses drugs. We have

and will continue to be a big benefit of

something for everyone. It is going to take

these meetings. These meetings will continue as we

every one of us to end this devastating war on

grow the movement of drug user voices.

drugs. Please FIGHT with us. That is the best way to show us you care

Submitting what you need to add to the meeting

How can I bring an idea/project/action to the

agenda:

National membership?

MikeyG@urbansurvivorsunion.org OR

Perhaps as chapter check-in or mail the

Louise@urbansurvivors.org

editor MikeyG@urbansurvivorsunion.org to

Unless otherwise posted.

have it put on the meeting agenda.

How do I join?

Meeting Access Information:

Be on a BI- weekly call, after chapter check-in introduce yourself and give your location.

https://www.gotomeet.me/LouiseVincent

Please send an e-mail to

You can also dial in using your phone.

United States: +1 (786) 535-3211 Access Code: 615-430-549

Louise@urbansurvivors.org, or MikeyG@urbansurvivorsunion.org,

https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/615430549

Come to our Biweekly Call!!!

Questions: Send to MikeyG@urbansurvivorsunion.org

Users Unite!!

DRUG USERS INTERNATIONAL

SPOTLIGHT

INTERNATIONAL HARM REDUCTION CONFERENCE 2019

Louise Vincent, MPH Executive Director, Urban Survivors Union Porto, Portugal- Being asked to speak at the closing session of the International Harm Reduction Conference excited me. What an honor I thought, but what would I say. I get so nervous before I speak, and I knew I would be a nervous wreck. I also know from experience that it is not about me and my feelings. I was reminded of experience from many years ago, that speaking in groups is not about me and my ego. It is a responsibility. I am not speaking for me. I am speaking for all the people who are in jail. All the people who have died because of shit drug policy.

DRUG USERS INTERNATIONAL

SPOTLIGHT CONTINUED

I had never been to an International Harm Reduction Conference. This conference housed 1200 activists from over 90 countries. I was amazed.

Rui Moreira, the cities mayor began the conference by committing to opening a safe consumption space in Porto. I enjoyed the safe consumption space housed in the conference and became quite friendly with the staff in the space. I was even more taken with the people from all over the world sharing their drug policy experiences and realities.

What an honor.

Portugal was an amazing place and old fishing village. I remember leaving the US and thinking about all of the people who are not with us anymore. All of the people who are dead, simply because US drug policy is backwards and we don’t seem to learn from our mistakes. SO many people won’t listen to other voices, to other countries, to another direction.

Around the world there has been a 60% increase in drug related deaths. I remember walking up the cobbled streets thinking about how grateful I truly was to be in a place where policy makers are actually trying to save lives. It was in fact possible for a country to pass legislation that puts the lives of people before all else and it works. It fucking works.

This was a call to action for the world. We live in a world where only 1% of injection drug users actually receive harm reduction services. There is so much work to do ----So as I said to conference attendees, we must not stop. Not when we think we can’t go on anymore, not when we are tired. We must fight.

We must stand with one another. Drug Users can and must organize.

Louise Vincent, MPH and Dr. Carl Hart at the 2019 International Harm Reduction Conference

DRUG USERS INTERNATIONAL

SPOTLIGHT CONTINUED

Advocacy in a Red State Robert Suarez, Harm Reduction Consultant

There was a call. A call from Louise to help her with Death By Distribution Laws getting passed in NC. A call for support in North Carolina. A call to have governor Cooper, veto H474 Death By Distribution. Being from NY I thought that this might be something that just North Carolina needs to deal with, but as I thought about it a little more it didn't take long to realize that a bill like this in North Carolina is only the beginning. We need to be there for one another. What happens in one part of the country will affect drug users everywhere! It had been a long time since I'd traveled out of state for advocacy, but this has the potential of becoming a perfect storm. I, along with others, need to understand how things in one place affect things in another.

DRUG USERS INTERNATIONAL

SPOTLIGHT CONTINUED

Being in North Carolina gives you a sense

Having alliances with other organizations

of peace and quiet---- a little too much

has always been best practice and proven

peace and quiet. It's almost as if, if you

to help move forward agendas. Being in

make any noise--- anything that goes

North Carolina for the protest of H474 was

against the norm just might be a problem.

an awesome beginning to understanding the issues with the legislature and getting

Knowing that there would be support

involved with real advocacy in a red state

from NCHRC gave a sense of relief to real

that has very little democratic support. I

urgency. Yet finding out that NCHRC

believe that further engagement with

would not be standing with us caused

NCHRC is important as well as making

many people to feel left out, abandoned,

sure that NCHRC is truly understanding

or just lied to. What the hell went on?

what they are called to do. If they say

How can a harm reduction organization

they are harm reduction advocates and

not stand with the drug users they say

representing drug users, then they must

they represent? We need to ask ourselves

be accountable to the community.

--How can this be?

DRUG USERSÂ INTERNATIONAL

INPUD

Building a Global Movement: Documenting Its Rich History Dr. Jay Levy, Deputy Director, INPUD Establishing and building a drug user

In 1981, the first drug user group was

rights movement is a process

established in the Netherlands. Since

undertaken in huge adversity: people

then, networks of people who use

who use drugs the world over are

drugs have sprung up all over the

criminalised, stigmatised, and socially

world, with the drug user human rights

excluded. Human rights are

movement growing at an astounding

endemically violated. People who use

rate, given the context in which people

drugs experience discrimination, social

who use drugs must organise. The

exclusion, rejection, drug shaming,

burgeoning movement has grown

defamation, violence, and exclusion

from strength to strength, has faced

from service and healthcare provision.

barrier after barrier, exclusion after exclusion. These networks and

In this context, forming networks and

movements, coming together both

organisations that represent

informally and formally, representing

communities of people who use drugs

people who use drugs in all their

faces almost inconceivable barriers;

diversity, have come together not only

inconceivable but not insurmountable.

to demand an end to violations of human rights, an end to stigmatisation and social exclusion, but fundamentally to ensure the inclusion of their voice, the meaningful involvement of communities of people who use drugs in fora that relate to them. Â

DRUG USERS INTERNATIONAL

INPUD CONTINUED

The growth of the drug user rights movement has been imperative and considerable, and has come to be collectively represented by a global network, the International Network of People who Use Drugs, INPUD, accountable to communities all over the world. The move to a regionally representative Board, with each seat elected by respective global regions and therefore accountable to the regional community, was in discussion But we mustn’t forget that these

for years, amongst INPUD individual

networks came together both to

members, staff members, and Board

advocate for the needs and rights of

members; many thought that it would

the communities they represent, and

never be accomplished. Finally, it was

additionally and crucially to provide

voted on in the International Network

life-saving services required by their

of People who Use Drugs’ meeting in

communities, notably the provision of

Malaysia, in 2015. This vote was

sterile needles and syringes. The

momentous, and marked the

provision of these services from peer to

beginning of INPUD’s new chapter as a

peer is in this context of social

network of networks. Though INPUD

exclusion, this context of huge gaps in

retained individual membership and

service and healthcare provision for

platforms for communications of

people who use drugs. Time after time,

individual members, the organisation

people who use drugs and their

immediately grew through the

communities have had to fill gaps left

membership of – and accountability to

by the societies in which they live.

networks globally.

DRUG USERS INTERNATIONAL

INPUD CONTINUED

The achievements of the movement – from the grassroots, to national, international, and global levels – have been so important, and the work of drug user networks has resulted in the increasing empowerment of people who use drugs all over the world, and the movement is increasingly well placed to tackle emerging threats and dangers faced. These are not few and far between.

And yet in spite of all of these successes and achievements, little is known and documented for posterity with regard to the movement’s milestones, successes, and challenges. The good and the bad alike must be documented if we are to learn the lessons of the past, as we look into the future. That’s why for the first time we are embarking on an ambitious project to document how movements of people who use drugs form, how individuals and networks come together, and how the movement has been able to maintain and grow momentum, all in a context of criminalisation, marginalisation, and oppression. We are working with our friends at Rights Reporter Foundation, documenting the lived experience of people who have been involved in the drug user rights movement over the years – as well as making use of archival material. We’re well overdue to concretely document an incredible movement, such incredible people, journeys, and stories. And it’s a wonderful thing – and a wonderful, inspiring movement – to be a part of.

DRUG USERS INTERNATIONAL

DNP ORDERS

SIGN A DNP ORDER TODAY #REFRAMETHEBLAME #REFRAMETHEBLAME is a national and international campaign to respond to “drug-induced" homicide laws.

We have a toolkit, including the DNP (do not prosecute) forms. The Campaign calls for people that use drugs to sign drug-induced homicide orders as a way of saying NO, we will not have our lives or our deaths used as a tool of the American Drug War. This campaign launched on Overdose Awareness Day, August 31, 2018. we had an event at the bi-annual Harm Reduction Conference in New Orleans.

We are now planning our next events for 2019.

Holding a #Reframetheblame event is easy. Our toolkit walks you through the process step by

step. Read our tools and launch your very own #REFRAMETHEBLAME event. We will support you in every way we are able. Please use #REFRAMETHEBLAME hashtag and #REVENGEISNOTJUSTICE on your social media, e-mail and wherever you choose as long as it is used in this context.

We are striving to get as many DNP orders signed as possible. Please, we are asking Go to to : www.ncurbansurvivorsunion.org SIGN A DNP TODAY'.

everyone who has ever used drugs, could ever use drugs. or simply believes in our cause to sign a DNP order.

DRUG USERS INTERNATIONAL

INTERVIEW

Jesse Harvey #MOBILIZERECOVERY What brings you to mobilize recovery?

I was looking forward to the trainings, as well as the connecting with other advocates around the country.

What were your takeaways from the event?

That it’s alright if I sometimes feel like I don’t fit in. I have a lot of beliefs that people say go too far. Values around harm reduction, value of human life and liberty, freedom. A lot of what we learned today redoubled my commitment to all of those things.

What do you see as the work in front of you, now as a mobilize recovery leader, and also as a leader in the harm reduction movement?

Jesse Harvey, #MobilizeRecovery

I see (that) my duties include strengthening the landscape of services and resources that are available to people who use, or who have used drugs.

Do you see any work that needs to be done to bring the recovery and harm reduction community closer into alignment?

Albie "Saurus" Rex, Westgate Resort, Las Vegas

Several great organizations, including open societies foundation, harm reduction coalition, and multiple drug users union are already trying to bridge the gap. HRC and OSF hosted a series of discussions on this topic, with advocates from both the recovery and harm reduction communities.

DRUG USERS INTERNATIONAL

INTERVIEW CONTINUED

Was there anything else that you wanted to add?

I think it sounds cliché to say this, the recovery community has a long, long way to go, before it really truly understands the principles of harm reduction, and harm reduction as a recovery pathway.

Jesse Harvey, Westgate Resort, Las Vegas

"Who would’ve thought at #mobilizerecovery that the intersectionality of harm reduction and recovery was

Was there anything else that you wanted to add about your experiences here, or anything else outside of here, while I’m offering you a space to share your thoughts?

It was very reassuring being here and seein g so many people here who identify with b eing in recovery, even abstinence-based r ecovery, who already possess many of the c ore competencies of the harm reduction a pproach. Something else I would add is t hat, we need to confront this issue from m ultiple angles. We shouldn’t just be r elying on a community of peers from what h ave been viewed, up until this point, as p erhaps opposing sides. To come together, a nd for that to be all that’s needed. The n onprofit industrial complex, healthcare, t he government, they need to do s omething. They needed to do something 3 0 years ago. It’s crazy that former and c urrent drug users are leading the charge t owards evidence-based compassionate c are, while being criticized, oppressed and m arginalized for doing so.

right around the corner the whole time. Good times with Jesse Harvey, and a hopeful ending to the first #mobilizerecovery. To infinite and beyond!"- Mikey G

Jesse Harvey & Michael Galipeau #MobilizeRecovery

USERS UNIONS INTERNATIONAL

THE ACTION

"Sacklers Lie, People Die" Action at the Guggenheim

Drug User Organizers from the Rhode Island Users Union and Vocal NY working with Sackler PAIN and Nan Goldin staged a die-in at the Guggenheim Museum in NYC. Demands arose outside the Met, after organizers effectively blockaded 5th avenue in downtown Manhattan, calling for all institutions to refuse Sackler money. 400,000 prescriptions were dropped from the balcony of the Guggenheim that day, This was to symbolize the number of prescriptions for OxyContin that were written each year. In an email from CEO Richard Sackler, 'OxyContin would be a blizzard of prescriptions, that would bury the competition.' Since, museums all over the world including the Guggenheim, Tate, and the Louvre have distanced themselves from the Sackler name.

USERS UNIONS INTERNATIONAL

THE AUTHORS

About the Contributors Dr. Jay Levy Jay began working at the INPUD Secretariat in 2014 as INPUD's Policy and Advocacy Officer, and has written advocacy publications for INPUD since 2013. He has previously worked with the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF), as a consultant for the Global Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP), and as a supervisor for undergraduates at the University of Cambridge. His writing, advocacy, fieldwork and research, and teaching have focussed on HIV/AIDS, STI, and blood-borne infection policy and law, the outcomes of sex work and drug use legislation, feminist, gender and queer theory, and harm reduction. Jay holds a PhD (focussing Sweden’s sex work and drug use legislation), an MPhil (in Geographical Research), and a BA, from the University of Cambridge

Louise Vincent, MPH Louise Vincent is a Harm Reduction expert, activist and educator in North Carolina whose work expertise in drug user health, social and criminal justice reform has driven the expansion and acceptance of harm reduction in the United States conservative South. She is a harm reduction consultant who specializes in women's health, drug policy reform, and the meaningful engagement of people who use drugs. Louise is currently serving as the Executive Director of the national Urban Survivors Union. She has hosted over 100 meetings of national drug user organizers during her tenure, and offered technical assistance in the development of new user union organizations across the country. Her leadership in the national drug user union movement has led to the recent rapid expansion of drug user organizing across the country

USERS UNIONS INTERNATIONAL

THE AUTHORS CONTINUED

Robert Suarez Robert Suarez is a community leader with the Peer Network Of New York and VOCAL-NY, a grassroots organization that builds power amongst \lowincome people impacted by HIV/AIDS, drug use, mass incarceration to build healthy and just communities . Robert was formerly the Advocacy Liaison at the Washington Heights CORNER Project, an organization with a mission to improve the quality of life of life of people who use drugs or engage in sex work by offering empowering and stigma- free health promotion support to individuals and their loved ones that reduce risk associated with drug use and/or sex work including HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and overdose. He is the former board member \of the International Network Of People Who Use Drugs (INPUD), a global peerbased organization that seeks to promote the health and defend the rights of people who use drugs,

Jesse Harvey Jesse Harvey is a harm reduction advocate and a person in recovery.

He is the founder of the Church of Safe Injection, an Interfaith Church spanning 12 states. The Church is devoted to providing harm reduction services and advocacy for all persons who use drugs. He is also the founder and executive director of Journey House. Journey House, a Maine nonprofit that provides four of the states only evidence-based, low-cost, low barrier recovery housing.

"I do know loss, but I also know the other side. For everything I have lost there is beauty to be found ‌ not immediate. Not anything that can replace our loved ones, but new and different; lovely and kind.

There is more than hell on earth. I love you"- Louise Vincent, Executive Director, USU National

OPINION --MIKEY G

One of the biggest challenges faced by our movement is the criminalisation of our members. As we face increasing pressure to come into the light and identify ourselves, we face ever-increasing risks at the hands of law enforcement officials. In recent years, there has been a significant push by state and federal authorities to pass a new set of laws called death by delivery, or drug induced homicide. This new legislation effectively changes low level drug possession into violent offenses, and can deliver up to life sentences. The existence of a movement for human rights and social justice is effectively undermined when its members are associated with violent crimes, and branded terrorist organizations. In the time I have had experience in leading a state union, I have been accused of such activities, directly resulting from my leadership, service and advocacy for the rights of people who use drugs in this humanitarian crisis.

In an era when public health has continued to provide conclusive evidence about the policies of a drug war america, the country has continued its crusade of tyranny and oppression. With the recent rise of fascism in democracies worldwide, it is a frightening time to be a member of a free society, especially if you are a person who uses drugs. the united states has effectively recreated the skinner box experiments of the 1950's, a study that demonstrated conclusively the conditions which were necessary to produce addictions, and continues to do so at the largest possible scale. we are now faced with the reality of having largest slave population in the history of the world, and are quickly contending for the worlds greatest genocide. the very real threat faced by people who use drugs is greater now more than ever, as is the need to renew the call for peace and stand in solidarity.

In recent months, drug user union leadership has called upon its allies, in particular, the recovery community, which has long held a commitment to service with our community. We have requested sanctuary from the ravages of war from our fellows in the community of lived experience. as the church has historically taken on the role of offering compassion and protection during times of war, we have called upon the recovery community to aid us in protecting our members, and their identities. As members of recovery fellowships benefit from partnerships with faith-based communities, we are asking that kindness be further extended to offer sanctuary to our people during this time of war.

DRUG USERS THINK

Since the time that declaration of war was made by the president of the united states against the people of our community in 1971, we have not seen such blatant racism, bigotry, sexism, violence, hatred, intolerance and genocide exacted against a people in the United states of america. Not since the time before Dr. martin luther king jr. and the civil rights movement. We, the people, upon whom such war has been declared, have set about the work of withdrawing our consent for humanitarian aid, as such aid is quickly being used to empower the wartime strategy being used against us. a new shift in the war is coming, one which is led by compassion, reason, and science. the time of the 'worthy poor' has come to an end, and a new era of human rights is about to begin.

We call upon those allies who see a moral obligation to confront evil in its many forms. We call upon ethnic communities, and communities who have survived oppression to stand with us in our fight to bring peace once more to our country, and worldwide. We call upon civically minded Americans to honor the commitments we have made to unicef, unodc, and the world health organization to meet the objectives set forth in our sustainable development goals. Chief among those for our populace is our commitment to achieve health equity for all people, including people who use drugs. This goal is impossible to reach while we continue to wage war against our fellow Americans.

We call for a moral revival in america, and a renewal of traditional patriotism. for those of you who were born believing in the ideals of our founding fathers, and in the value of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. we call for those of you who might find some courage to step forward and join us in civil disobedience. it is in times like these when there are unjust laws that it is the responsibility of the people of the united states of america to take its power back. the time is now america! who will answer the call, and join the ranks of those brave souls we celebrate today as the heroes of free people, the movers, the shakers, and those who will shape the future for all of our children.

Will you find the courage to call for peace in a wartime america? Will you join us?

"The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: 'If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?' But... the good Samaritan reversed the question: 'If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?'"- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

DRUG USERS THINK

POLICY

Best of the Worst Here we will attempt to highlight some of the best of the worst attempts by policymakers to address the issues most affecting our community SECTION 1: Section 16-20 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Providence, entitled “Prohibition against certain forms of aggressive solicitation�, is hereby further amended by making the following changes to the language of Article 1, Section 16-20 with changes made bold and deletions italicized: Sec. 16-20. - Prohibition against certain forms of aggressive solicitation. (a) For purposes of this section: Aggressive manner Solicitation shall mean: (1) Approaching or speaking to a person(s), or following a person(s) before, during, or after soliciting, if that conduct is intended or is likely to cause a reasonable person to fear bodily harm to oneself or to another, or damage to or loss of property; (2) Following the person being solicited, with the intent of asking that person for money or other things of value; (3) Intentionally touching or causing physical contact with another person without the person's consent in the course of soliciting; (4) Intentionally blocking or interfering with the safe or free passage of a pedestrian or vehicle by any means, including unreasonably causing a pedestrian or vehicle operator to take evasive action to avoid physical contact; (5) Using violent or threatening gestures toward a person solicited; (6) Continuing to solicit from a person after the person has given a negative response to such soliciting; (7) Speaking in a volume unreasonably loud under the circumstances; (8) Soliciting money from anyone who is waiting in line for entry to a building or for another purpose. (9) Entering or occupying a roadway or intersection for purpose of soliciting the occupant(s) of a vehicle.

Soliciting shall mean asking for money or objects of value, with the intention that the money or object be transferred at that time, and at that place. Soliciting shall include using the spoken, written or printed word, bodily gestures, signs or any other means of communication with the purpose of obtaining an immediate donation of money or other thing of value.

Public place shall mean a place to which a governmental entity has title, to which the public has access, including but not limited to any street, highway, parking lot, plaza, transportation facility, school, place of amusement, park or playground. (b) No person shall solicit in an aggressive manner in a public place. (c) Violations of these sections shall be punishable by the penalties listed in section 1-10 of the Code of Ordinances.

SECTION 2: This ordinance shall take effect upon passage.

If you have any contributions to this section, or believe your municipality/city/state is currently attempting to pass even worse legislation, please send them to us, and we'll gladly use this platform to hold them accountable. Email your submissions to MikeyG@urbansurvivorsunion.org

DRUG USERS THINK

FACTS ABOUT FENTANYL

Getting it Right!

Talking Points for Fentanyl There is still a lot we don’t know about Fentanyl and USU is doing everything we can to ensure that we have the most accurate information available on the subject.

1. The current fentanyl crisis began around 2013 and at this time was mainly sold as an adulterant mixed with heroin. This mixed product was being sold under the banner of “heroin” even though it contains both heroin and fentanyl.

2. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is about 50 x stronger than heroin.

3. Fentanyl is around 100x stronger than morphine 4. Fentanyl has a rapid onset with a shorter duration of effects, so there is some limited evidence that may suggest compulsive use and repeated administration, which increases the risk of fatal overdose.

5. We have found around 33 fentanyl analogs to date 6. Fentanyl is not naloxone resistant and none of the fentanyl analogs are naloxone resistant.

7. Fentanyl cannot be absorbed through the skin.

8. In states like Ohio, crime lab reporting showed that the majority of cocaine and methamphetamine products that were confiscated by law enforcement and tested positive for fentanyl were in seizures under 30 grams; and of those, a majority were in products less than 1 gram. (Although these trends are only recently being reported with great toxicological detail, they confirm that fentanyl adulteration of cocaine and methamphetamine is occurring, but at the end of the supply chain, the place where smaller products are broken down into smaller portions meant for consumption—not distribution—and “cut” with fentanyl.)

DRUG USERS THINK

FENTANYL CONTINUED

9. The information we have lends to our belief that the introduction of fentanyl to the illicit stimulant market is either unintentional and the result of cross-contamination during the process of bagging product for consumption, or intentionally by drug selling entrepreneurs who are mixing opioids with stimulants to produce what they think is a novel product that can better compete in the illicit marketplace.

10. As of May 5th 2019 there are no known cases of marijuana cut with fentanyl causing overdose death.

11. Opioid toxicity (i.e., “overdose” or respiratory depression) from transdermal and airborne exposure to Illicitly Manufactured Fentanyl (IMF) is a near scientific impossibility.

This is explained in a recent position paper by the American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) and American Academy of Clinical Toxicology.

12. Incidents where responders were treated for alleged “exposure” were exhibiting symptoms of what appear to be anxiety or panic: dizziness, rapid heartbeat, sweating, even fainting – which are not symptoms of fentanyl overdose. There are other stories where officers exhibit no symptoms and yet were “treated” as a precaution. There have been stories of officers administering it to themselves, an impossible task if one is actually experiencing fentanyl-related overdose. There have been cases where naloxone was administered to first responders who were not exhibiting any signs of opioid toxicity, and when they “felt better,” it was attributed to the naloxone, a misinterpretation of the event.

13. The fentanyl in the illicit drug supply comes in powder or solid form, and must have direct contact with mucous membranes or the bloodstream via snorting (inhalation), smoking, or injection to take effect. Yes, even carfentanil. IMF is handled with bare skin throughout much of its travels to the end user, and by the end users themselves, causing no adverse reaction until the drug is ingested via the above-mentioned routes—and even then, fentanyl and fentanyl analogs are used routinely and do not always result in overdose.

14. Marijuana burns at combustion temperatures to high for marijuana smokers to be harmed from fentanyl laced marajuana. The combustion temperature of fentanyl is too low.

DRUG USERS THINK

FENTANYL CONTINUED

15. A November 2018 report in the New England Journal of Medicine describes a cluster of overdoses in Philadelphia where 18 patients who had not intentionally ingested opioids presented to medical facilities with apparent opioid overdose. All reported smoking what they believed to be crack cocaine. Four of the patients died and others experienced significant sequelae. All 18 cases occurred in a short period of time and in the same zip code indicating a point source.

16. Fentanyl and its analogs, such as acetyl, butyryl or furanyl fentanyl, are relatively simple and cheap to produce. They’re also incredibly potent at lower concentrations compared to other opioids such as oxycodone (Oxycontin), morphine and heroin. Consequently, there have been significant increases in its presence in the illicit drug supply throughout the United States. Much of this fentanyl is manufactured in China and smuggled by Mexican drug cartels, along the same routes used to traffic heroin. In some cases, it’s also now being manufactured in clandestine drug labs in the U.S. In 2018, DEA agents raided what they thought was a methamphetamine lab in a western Pennsylvania hotel room; it turned out that the room's occupant had been trying to make fentanyl.

BTNX Fentanyl Testing Strip- Negative Test Result

Captain Matthew Moynihan, Rhode Island State Police; Michael Galipeau provides fentanyl testing training at the Governor's Task Force for Overdose Prevention

THIS IS YOUR E-ZINE! *send your input! *ask the editor *National Users Union - wtf are we up to?

Phase 2: #REFRAMETHEBLAME - FROM PEOPLE TO POLICY

Ongoing Projects * GET INVOLVED SPOTLIGHT: The challenges of being "out" as a drug user opinion: the explosive growth of harm reduction orgs in America

Bigg love, H & R Contributors: mikeyg@urbansurvivorsunion.org louise@urbansurvivorsunion.org