In this episode, we’re joined by Evan Done and Valerie Jansen from Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness (USARA). Together, we explore how Peer Support specialists—and the core values that guide their work—are shaping and strengthening harm reduction efforts here in Utah and beyond.

Resources from this episode:

• Learn more about USARA here.
• Learn how to become a Utah Certified Peer Support Specialist here.

This podcast comes from the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Program of Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy (PARCKA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The mission of PARCKA is to promote and provide addiction related research, clinical care, knowledge and advocacy across the University of Utah, the local community, the State of Utah, and the nation.

This episode is made possible in support from the Salt Lake County Health Department.

The opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the official views of University of Utah Health or its leadership.

In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Harris, a person in long-term recovery and a dedicated harm reduction advocate in Salt Lake City. Jennifer opens up about her powerful journey to recovery and healing, and shares how harm reduction became a cornerstone of her resilience, sense of belonging, and commitment to helping others.

Resources from this episode:

• Odyssey House of Utah
• Community Crisis Intervention & Support Services
• Utah 211
• PARCKA Local & National Addiction Health Resources

This podcast comes from the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Program of Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy (PARCKA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The mission of PARCKA is to promote and provide addiction related research, clinical care, knowledge and advocacy across the University of Utah, the local community, the State of Utah, and the nation.

This episode is made possible in support from the Salt Lake County Health Department.

The opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the official views of University of Utah Health or its leadership.

In this episode, we’re joined by Ashley Yaugher, PhD, a Health & Wellness Professional Practice Extension Assistant Professor and HEART Initiative Coordinator at Utah State University (USU). Dr. Yaugher shares why stigma can be so damaging at every level, from individuals to entire communities. She also offers practical, approachable techniques we can all use to challenge stigma and connect with one another through a person‑first mindset.

Resources from this episode:

• Learn more about Dr. Yaugher here.
• Learn more about the USU HEART Initiative here.
• You can learn more about addiction related stigma here and here.
• Learn how you can challenge stigma by just changing a few words here.

This podcast comes from the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Program of Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy (PARCKA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The mission of PARCKA is to promote and provide addiction related research, clinical care, knowledge and advocacy across the University of Utah, the local community, the State of Utah, and the nation.

This episode is made possible in support from the Salt Lake County Health Department.

The opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the official views of University of Utah Health or its leadership.

In this episode, we’re joined by Mackenzie Bray, MPH, Executive Director of the Salt Lake Harm Reduction Project (SHRP), a vital community program providing free, confidential services in Salt Lake City to prevent HIV, Hepatitis, and overdose deaths. Mackenzie breaks down practical safer use strategies, from routes of administration and sterile syringes to fentanyl and xylazine test strips, and talks about what it really means to meet people where they’re at. We dig into how harm reduction supports people who use drugs with dignity, why reducing stigma is essential, and where Mackenzie sees the movement heading next.

Resources from this episode:

• Find out how to get involved with SHRP at shrpexchange.org/contact.
• Utah Syringe Exchange Network
• NEXT Distro Resource Library

This podcast comes from the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Program of Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy (PARCKA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The mission of PARCKA is to promote and provide addiction related research, clinical care, knowledge and advocacy across the University of Utah, the local community, the State of Utah, and the nation.

This episode is made possible in support from the Salt Lake County Health Department.

The opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the official views of University of Utah Health or its leadership.

In this episode, we’re joined by Omar Syed, MD, an Addiction Medicine Fellow at the University of Utah. Dr. Syed talks with us about naloxone (Narcan) — a lifesaving medication that anyone can learn to use to help keep our community safer. You can learn more about Dr. Syed here.

Resources from this episode:

• Learn the signs of an overdose at opidemic.utah.gov/overdoses
• Watch a step‑by‑step video on how to use naloxone in an emergency here.
• To request free mailed naloxone, sign up for an online training, or find a full list of Salt Lake County libraries and fire stations that stock and distribute naloxone, visit utahnaloxone.org
• Explore a directory of organizations that provide free naloxone and overdose‑prevention resources at opidemic.utah.gov/naloxone/free-naloxone
• The Salt Lake Harm Reduction Project recently introduced Naloxey Boxey — a Little Free Library–style box filled with naloxone doses and simple instructions for when and how to use them. You can find Naloxey Boxey outside their office at 1400 South, 1100 East, in Salt Lake City.
• Fentanyl 101 with Jasmin Charles, MS, PA-C

This podcast comes from the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Program of Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy (PARCKA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The mission of PARCKA is to promote and provide addiction related research, clinical care, knowledge and advocacy across the University of Utah, the local community, the State of Utah, and the nation.

This episode is made possible in support from the Salt Lake County Health Department.

The opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the official views of University of Utah Health or its leadership.

It’s totally normal to ask, “What is harm reduction?” It’s a movement often surrounded by misconceptions and misunderstanding. That’s why in this episode, we sit down with Dr. Yitong Xin from the University of Utah College of Social Work. Dr. Xin’s work centers on harm‑reduction strategies—including psychedelic‑assisted interventions—and strengths‑based research approaches. We talk about what harm reduction actually is, the most common misconceptions, and how we can have more open, supportive conversations to better serve our communities.

Resources from this episode:

• You can learn more about Dr. Xin and her work here and here.
• Check out some of Dr. Xin's publications here.

This podcast comes from the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Program of Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy (PARCKA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The mission of PARCKA is to promote and provide addiction related research, clinical care, knowledge and advocacy across the University of Utah, the local community, the State of Utah, and the nation.

This episode is made possible in support from the Salt Lake County Health Department.

The opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the official views of University of Utah Health or its leadership.

In this festive final episode of Let’s Talk About Drugs in the Intermountain West for 2025, we’re sending warm holiday wishes to you and your loved ones! Tune in as we share practical ways to support one another and the recovery community during this cheerful and special season.

Before we wrap up 2025, we’ve got exciting news: our brand-new harm reduction series, Use With Care, launches Wednesday, January 7, 2026. Mark your calendars, you won’t want to miss it!

This podcast comes from the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Program of Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy (PARCKA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The mission of PARCKA is to promote and provide addiction related research, clinical care, knowledge and advocacy across the University of Utah, the local community, the State of Utah, and the nation.

The opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the official views of University of Utah Health or its leadership.

In this episode of Let's Talk About Drugs in the Intermountain West, we sit down with Benjamin Lewis, MD, to explore his groundbreaking work with psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Dr. Lewis shares his perspective on how these therapies could transform care for individuals facing substance use disorders and mental health challenges, and discusses what it will take to make these treatments more accessible.

• University of Utah Psychedelic Science Initiative (U-PSI)
• Psilocybin + Mindfulness Shows Promise for Healthcare Worker Depression: Report
• HMHI Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)
• TED Talk: Could psychedelics help patients in therapy?

This podcast comes from the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Program of Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy (PARCKA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The mission of PARCKA is to promote and provide addiction related research, clinical care, knowledge and advocacy across the University of Utah, the local community, the State of Utah, and the nation.

The opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the official views of University of Utah Health or its leadership.

In this episode of Let's Talk About Drugs in the Intermountain West, we sit down with Reyes Esparza, MS, CHES, Health Educator and Wellness Coach at the University of Utah’s Center for Campus Wellness. Reyes discusses how his team is creating open, judgment-free spaces for college students to talk about substance use, set personal goals, and explore practical strategies for reducing risk.

• To learn more about the Alcohol & Other Substance Use Program at the University of Utah's Center for Campus Wellness, ⁠visit their website⁠ or contact them at wellness.utah.edu/about/contact⁠.

This podcast comes from the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Program of Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy (PARCKA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The mission of PARCKA is to promote and provide addiction related research, clinical care, knowledge and advocacy across the University of Utah, the local community, the State of Utah, and the nation.

The opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the official views of University of Utah Health or its leadership.

In this episode of Let’s Talk About Drugs in the Intermountain West, we sit down with Stephanie Fitch, MHA, MS, PCLC, LAC, PMH-C—Women’s and Children’s Grant Manager at Billings Clinic in Montana. Stephanie shares how her personal and professional experiences have shaped her work and helped bring the Montana Obstetric and Maternal Support (MOMS) program to life.

If you are interested in collaborating with Stephanie, you can contact her at [email protected] or by calling (406) 238-2500.

This podcast comes from the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Program of Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy (PARCKA)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The mission of PARCKA is to promote and provide addiction related research, clinical care, knowledge and advocacy across the University of Utah, the local community, the State of Utah, and the nation.

The opinions expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the official views of University of Utah Health or its leadership.