Thread by @ErinKhar

It’s #OverdoseAwarenessDay. As someone who started shooting heroin at 13, I have something to say to parents (a thread 🧵).

It’s never too early to start talking with your kids about drugs. The first time I took an opiate I was 8, heroin at 13. And no one suspected a thing.

The strongest prevention? Modeling healthy ways to handle the sh*t life serves up. Start talking about emotional regulation early.

Don’t demand your children tell you anything. Instead, just share what you struggled with at their age.

#OverdoseAwarenessDay

Educating our children about harm reduction is NOT enabling. It’s potentially saving lives.

I required my teenager to attend naloxone training even though he has no history with drugs. With fentanyl in the mix, one time can = death.

#OverdoseAwarenessDay

Have fentanyl treating strips and naloxone in the house. Every middle school aged kid on up should be informed and know where they are.

As I told my son, it might save a friend’s life.

#OverdoseAwarenessDay

Be a non-punitive, safe space for your kids (and other people’s).

I know you don’t want your kid doing drugs. But the number one priority should be keeping them alive.

#OverdoseAwarenessDay

Everyone thinks it won’t happen in their home. I was a straight-A student, equestrian, volleyball player, had lots of friends.

I “didn’t look” like a drug addict. I hid my addiction from nearly everyone for 10 years.

#OverdoseAwarenessDay

All of this to say, there are harm reduction services in place to help reduce the number of deaths by overdose.

More compassionate, evidence-based treatment & less all or nothing attitudes.

Tough love fails for most. Get out of the archaic DARE model.

#OverdoseAwarenessDay

I’ve been in recovery for 19+ years. What saved me? First, access to clean needles. Second, MAT (medicated assisted treatment) to help with detox. Third, people who loved me even when I was at my worst.

Harm reduction reduces harm. It’s that simple.

#OverdoseAwarenessDay

*testing not treating 🤦🏻‍♀️

Laws regarding fentanyl testing strips & naloxone vary state by state. Here is a state by state resource.

safeproject.us/naloxone/aware…

#OverdoseAwarenessDay #NationalRecoveryMonth

This naloxone finder is super helpful, too.

harmreduction.org/resource-cente…

#OverdoseAwarenessDay #NationalRecoveryMonth

. @NEXTDistro does fantastic work getting naloxone to people who cannot access it easily.

nextdistro.org/naloxone

#OverdoseAwarenessDay #NationalRecoveryMonth

For people still stuck on "tough love"...

salon.com/2020/02/02/we-…

#OverdoseAwarenessDay #NationalRecoveryMonth

Recovery is possible. Recovery is a process. Addiction is a public health issue not a moral one.

"Addicts" are human beings struggling with a very human condition.

#NationalRecoveryMonth #OverdoseAwarenessDay

For those who may still be struggling—I see you, I believe in you, I love you.

#NationalRecoveryMonth #OverdoseAwarenessDay