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Spotlight

Our VitalTalks Live Event: Countering Criminalization with Public Health Vision

From left: Daliah Heller, Vice President, Drug Use Initiatives, Vital Strategies; Marisol Bello, Executive Director, Housing Narrative Lab; Insha Rahman, Vice President for Advocacy & Partnerships, Vera Institute; Mary-Ann Etiebet, M.D., President and CEO, Vital Strategies; Chrissie Juliano, Executive Director, Big Cities Health Coalition.

This VitalTalks Live event explored how public health approaches can address the compounding crises of homelessness, drug overdose, and unmet mental health needs.

We unpack why punitive measures have failed and how harm reduction strategies can save lives, foster equity, and uphold human dignity.

From examining the forces driving opposition to harm reduction to discussing the intersection of narrative, policy and public health, this conversation highlighted the work needed to build a healthier, more compassionate future.

On our Podcast

We explore overdose prevention and harm reduction campaigns with our Overdose Prevention Program’s Tony Newman, Director of Communications and Gloria Malone, Senior Manager for Digital Multimedia Strategy.

They discuss the power of communications to combat stigma, shift perceptions, and promote evidence-based solutions like harm reduction services and overdose prevention centers. Through real-world examples, they emphasize storytelling, community collaboration, and data-driven strategies to change hearts, minds, and policies.

Listen Now: