PRHA is a peer-run organization that promotes the philosophy of harm reduction and safer drug use. Active users at all levels of PRHA facilitate the need-based needle distribution program, serving the Cascadia region since 2007.
“If you want to fight the war on addiction let’s not fight the drug user; let’s fight the conditions, let’s fight the trauma, let’s fight the abuse that person has lived under,” Murphy said. “It is stigma, and it is abuse, and it is hatred that has gotten us to this place, and we will only defeat that with love and compassion.
This Monday marked the end of an era along with a new beginning. Monte Levine and his partner Mark the founders of Ostrich Bay Exchange (OBE) located in Bremerton, Washington, have retired after 17 years of incredible service. Monte and Mark operated one of the longest standing exchange programs in the peninsula. In 2015, OBE merged with the PHRA to help facilitate Monte and Mark's well-deserved retirement. Lisa Al-Hakim, the second full-time employee ever hired at PHRA, will be taking over coordination of the OBE. Lisa will mark the second generation of harm reduction activists at OBE. She is looking forward to making OBE one of the best exchanges in the PHRA a family.
We have exciting news, We have just hired our second full-time employee for PHRA. All we've accomplished in the last eight years we have done with one paid staff and hundreds of volunteers. I would like to introduce you to Lisa Al-Hakim are Second full-time employee . Lisa been with our organization for the past six years volunteering mainly in fundraising and supply runs.
This year we celebrate 25 years of the University District needle exchange program. Along with the wonderful memories an incredible achievement of just making it to 25 years. We recognize the nine staff that died in our journey to create a positive change for the drug user community . Sebastian (filth) Greenberg, Julian (Sparrow), Autumn Menendez, Vanessa Downing, Rebekah Beck, Joe Albanese, Bob Quinn, Eric Hafey, Kathleen (Kat) McCarthy. We love and miss each and everyone of them. Some of them help create programs, some of them brought love and kindness, they all are remembered and loved.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Abbey of St, Joan Receive the Golden Syringe Award
Seattle.WA (University District) – May 31, 2015 – The People’s Harm Reduction Alliance (PHRA) recognized the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Abbey of St. Joan with the first ever Golden Syringe Award on May 13th at PHRA’s Stand Up For Harm Reduction, Comedy Showcase at Jet City Improv.
The Sisters, an order of twenty-first century nuns dedicated to the promulgation of universal joy and the expiation of stigmatic guilt who have helped lead the fight against HIV/AIDS were central figures in the Stand Up For Harm Reduction event. It’s only fitting that the Golden Syringe is larger than life and covered in glitter! It exemplifies the love and compassion the Sisters have towards harm reduction and Seattle’s transgender brothers and sisters. The Sisters took a stand in 2015 and made it possible for PHRA to start providing sterile and safe hormone injection needles free of charge to the transgender community through the University Needle Exchange.
Sister Glo Euro N’Wei states “I am deeply honored and proud to accept this award because my mission in life is everybody deserves love, everybody is worthy of love and everybody is love.” It’s a beautiful thing when two community organizations with similar philosophies can collaborate to strengthen our community.
“Every person that comes through our doors is told they are loved, they are worth it and they are good enough just the way that they are” says PHRA Executive Director, Shilo Murphy. PHRA works under the philosophy of harm reduction to fight the spread of infectious disease and educate the community about safer drug use. They offer safe disposal of used needles, access to new needles and clean supplies, referrals to other pertinent services such as detox and treatment options, and now free Hepatitis C testing, all in a non-judgmental environment. PHRA has been a key player in the local fight against Hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS.
For more information about PHRA please visit www.peoplesharmreductionalliance.org
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WXYZ-TV Detroit Channel 7 Chief Health Editor Dr. Partha Nandi has more on a programs to give meth pipes to addicts and Narcan to heroin overdoses.
We recognized the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Abbey of St. Joan with the first ever Golden Syringe Award (covered in glitter of course) for their excellence in delivering love and compassion to our community. The award was presented on May 13th at PHRA’s Stand Up For Harm Reduction Comedy Showcase.
