Fighting a Crisis

Addiction

Why Re-Criminalizing Drugs Is a Mistake

Abdullah Shihipar on March 1, 2024

Personal Perspective: Oregon is set to repeal its drug decriminalization measure. Here's why that's a mistake.

Personal Perspective: Oregon is set to repeal its drug decriminalization measure. Here's why that's a mistake.

Harm Reduction

How to Judge Harm Reduction's Success

Abdullah Shihipar on October 2, 2023

Harm reduction is making strides in the US but also facing a backlash. The data and evidence base shows how it works, but misunderstandings persist. Here's how to understand it.

Harm reduction is making strides in the US but also facing a backlash. The data and evidence base shows how it works, but misunderstandings persist. Here's how to understand it.

Addiction

It's Time to Talk About Safe Drug Use

Abdullah Shihipar on June 27, 2021

Fentanyl is showing up in more and more drugs. Talking to family about safe drug use will help keep them safe.

Fentanyl is showing up in more and more drugs. Talking to family about safe drug use will help keep them safe.

Harm Reduction

Mass Death Is a Choice

Abdullah Shihipar on February 13, 2021

Whether it is COVID-19 or overdose, the U.S. has long chosen to accept mass death.

Whether it is COVID-19 or overdose, the U.S. has long chosen to accept mass death.

Harm Reduction

Harm Reduction Is Not About Messaging

Abdullah Shihipar on December 13, 2020

Does harm reduction messaging work for gatherings during the pandemic? Or have we misunderstood the term?

Does harm reduction messaging work for gatherings during the pandemic? Or have we misunderstood the term?

Harm Reduction

Using Our Imagination in Harm Reduction

Abdullah Shihipar on November 28, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a rise in overdoses. It's time to propose new solutions to meet the moment.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a rise in overdoses. It's time to propose new solutions to meet the moment.

Harm Reduction

Election 2020: Drug Courts Aren’t the Solution

Abdullah Shihipar on October 23, 2020

Trump and Biden both talk about the overdose crisis and drug use. How do the candidates' drug policy platforms match up?

Trump and Biden both talk about the overdose crisis and drug use. How do the candidates' drug policy platforms match up?

President Donald Trump

Critiquing Politicians: Let's Leave Drugs Out of It

Abdullah Shihipar on October 2, 2020

Commenting on politicians' alleged drug use, or using it as a punchline, has become a common theme in politics. Let's leave drugs out of it.

Commenting on politicians' alleged drug use, or using it as a punchline, has become a common theme in politics. Let's leave drugs out of it.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Breonna Taylor: Victim of the Drug War

Abdullah Shihipar on June 5, 2020

The drug war is killing people in more ways than we think.

The drug war is killing people in more ways than we think.

Fantasies

The Fentanyl Hysteria: Fact and Fiction

Abdullah Shihipar on January 18, 2020

Some people believe you can overdose if you touch fentanyl or come into physical proximity to it. How true is this?

Some people believe you can overdose if you touch fentanyl or come into physical proximity to it. How true is this?

Psychopharmacology

Going Beyond the Waiver

Abdullah Shihipar on June 11, 2019

Government regulations prevent people from accessing the treatment they need—which ends up reinforcing racial disparities.

Government regulations prevent people from accessing the treatment they need—which ends up reinforcing racial disparities.