RSV 2022 Session 7B: Beyond Overdose Prevention: Committing to the Meaningful Inclusion of People Who Use Drugs (Day 3)

Meaningful inclusion is an essential and important practice for organizations engaging with people who use drugs (PWUDs). There is no shortcut to working with PWUDs. It requires intentionally developing pathways for impacted people to participate meaningfully. During this session, we discussed what meaningful inclusion is (and is not) and we offered tangible steps toward developing trust, dignity, and inclusion of PWUDs. Meeting people where they are requires an element of internal self-reflection and honesty, both personally and within the organization. Exploring implicit biases, the impact of the recovery movement, harm reduction movement, the “War on Drugs”, and drug policy is a necessary start for organizations to develop a positive environment for all who work to assist our communities.

Presenter(s):

• Andrew Bell, Technical Expert Lead, JBS International, Inc.
• Abby Coulter, Special Projects Coordinator, North Carolina Survivors Union and Methadone Liaison, Urban Survivors Union
• Dina Ortiz, Co-Chair, North Carolina Survivors Union and Leadership Team Member, Urban Survivors Union
• Tina Reynolds, MSW, Equity and Inclusion Director, North Carolina Survivors Union
• Robert Suarez, Board of Director Member, North Carolina Survivors Union and Leadership Team Member, Urban Survivors Union
• Louise Vincent, MPH, Executive Director, North Carolina Survivors Union and Leadership Team Member, Urban Survivors Union
• Nick Voyles, Executive Director, Indiana Recovery Alliance and Treasurer, North Carolina Survivors Union

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