Successful overdose prevention efforts require support from public health, public safety, and community harm reduction programs. These partnerships are key to promoting sustainable and effective overdose prevention.

On this episode of Public Health Review, we speak with representatives from each of these fields to discuss their perspectives, experiences, and the importance of maintaining strong relationships while also negotiating differing strategies and approaches: Brandon del Pozo, a former police officer and current assistant professor of medicine and public health at Brown University; Joy Rucker of the Black Harm Reduction Network; and Dr. Cathy Slemp, former state health commissioner of West Virginia and current vice chair of the West Virginia Hope in Action Alliance.

Guests:

Brandon del Pozo, PhD: Assistant Professor of Medicine and Health Services, Policy, and Practice, Brown University

Joy Rucker: National Harm Reduction Consultant, JR Harm Reduction Consulting

Cathy Slemp, MD, MPH (alumni-WV): Co-Founder and Vice Chair, West Virginia Hope in Action Alliance

Resources:

https://www.astho.org/globalassets/brief/od2a-public-health-public-safety-partnerships.pdf