Imagine losing a loved one to addiction and channeling that grief into a mission to save lives. That's exactly what Justin Phillips did after the tragic overdose of her son, Aaron. In this poignant episode, we sit down with Justin, the CEO and founder of Overdose Lifeline, and Brienna Baldwin, the organization's Director of Harm Reduction. Justin's deeply personal journey led her to advocate for protective legislation that has saved countless lives, and to create a nonprofit dedicated to combating opioid addiction, and Bre's work in distributing naloxone and test strips across Indiana is a testament to their shared commitment to harm reduction.

Harm reduction isn't just a buzzword; it's a vital public health strategy. Bre illuminates how this approach, including the use of naloxone, can be as routine as wearing a seatbelt. We tackle the misconceptions surrounding naloxone, emphasizing its life-saving role as opposed to the myth of being an enabler of drug use. Addiction, much like diabetes, requires emergency interventions, and naloxone's accessibility can be the difference between life and death. Bre provides a compelling argument for the necessity of harm reduction practices in keeping people alive and giving them a fighting chance at recovery.

Our conversation also highlights the power of community engagement. Bre shares her experiences working with a network of grassroots distributors to ensure naloxone and test strips reach those in rural and underserved areas. From her public health graduate days to her current role, Bre's passion for harm reduction is profound. We also explore the importance of open dialogues about drug use among youth and the proactive steps parents and caregivers can take to foster awareness and caution. This episode not only sheds light on the opioid crisis but also offers actionable insights into how we can all play a part in saving lives.

Website: https://www.overdoselifeline.org