reducing harm is not enough,
it must be eliminated.
Harm reduction is about
more than just surviving…
it’s about thriving!
Our Mission
The National Black Harm Reduction Network is dedicated to advancing harm reduction principles that optimize health and wellness for Black people who are disproportionately harmed by public health initiatives, the criminal legal system, and drug policies.
about nbhrn
The National Black Harm Reduction Network is rooted in the history and brilliance of Black-led movements that have always reimagined what freedom, self-determination, and equity means for Black folks.
We are a unified coalition of Black harm reductionists, advocates, and stakeholders working to advance harm reduction principles in Black communities.
We formed to preserve the history and legacy of Black harm reduction work while elevating and shaping the current and future national discourse around Black harm reduction
The Facts
It is not by accident that the face of opioid addiction in the media is most often a white family. This, despite the below facts...
213
PERCENT
…increase in overdose death rate for Black men from 2015-2020 — the largest increase experienced by any demographic group.
2
times
…increase in overdose death rate for Black women from 2015 to 2021, with a particularly pronounced rise among younger Black women.
33
PERCENT
…higher overdose death rate for the Black population compared to the white population in 2022, and 50% above the overall US rate.
7
TIMES
…higher overdose death rate for older Black men compared to older white men in 2020.
ADVOCACY + POLICY
Be the national voice advocating for Black-centered federal and state public health, criminal legal system, and drug policies.
TECHINICAL ASSISTANCE
Provide supportive, sustainable mentorship, workforce development, and TA to Black harm reductionists.
NETWORK BUILDING
Support regional networks of Black-led & Black-centered harm reduction initiatives.
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE
Provide TA on substance use and intersecting issues to community-based organizations and government entities.
Harm Reduction
for Black Communities
We advocate for policies that decriminalize drug use, support those struggling with addiction, and reduce the impacts of systemic racism in healthcare and criminal justice systems.
Our work focuses on empowering Black individuals, families, and communities to access resources, stay safe, and ultimately, stay alive.
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Why are harm reduction and public health solutions predominantly extended to the white communities, which are depicted as the most vulnerable victims of the current opioid crisis?
How do we disrupt the white-dominated narrative in harm reduction?
Why are Black communities not considered in the development of harm reduction strategies?
What is an effective drug policy strategy that addresses the historical harms of state-run surveillance and policing which has grossly burdened Black communities?
How do we address the lack of visibility of Black people in recovery and how can we elevate their unique experiences?
How do we center and support the mobilization of people most affected by drug policy and drug use, including formerly incarcerated people, LGBTQ communities, people who actively use drugs, and people in recovery?
What is Black harm reduction based recovery?
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By building a robust Black Harm Reduction Network, we can answer these and other important questions and empower people at the center of these crises to foster real change and lead the nation toward equitable, evidence-based solutions.
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You can read blog posts recapping past meetings of the Network at December 2021 Virtual Meeting and October 2022 National Harm Reduction Conference in Puerto Rico.
The Network will continue to convene spaces to elevate this work and is currently working to become an independent organization.
To stay connected with the network, please subscribe using the button below. Additionally, if you have questions, you can email us at info@nbhrn.org.