Advocacy in a Red State

SPOTLIGHT CONTINUED State

Robert Suarez, Harm Reduction Consultant

There was a call. A call from Louise to help her with Death By Distribution Laws getting passed in NC. A call for support in North Carolina. A call to have governor Cooper, veto H474 Death By Distribution. Being from NY I thought that this might be something that just North Carolina needs to deal with, but as I thought about it a little more it didn't take long to realize that a bill like this in North Carolina is only the beginning. We need to be there for one another. What happens in one part ofthe country will affect drug users everywhere! It had been a long time since I'd traveled out ofstate for advocacy, but this has the potential ofbecoming a perfect storm. I, along with others, need to understand how things in one place affect things in another.

Being in North Carolina gives you a sense ofpeace and quiet---- a little too much peace and quiet. It's almost as if, ifyou make any noise--- anything that goes against the norm just might be a problem.

Love is the Drug on 4-20-2019

Knowing that there would be support from NCHRC gave a sense ofreliefto real urgency. Yet finding out that NCHRC would not be standing with us caused many people to feel left out, abandoned, or just lied to. What the hell went on? How can a harm reduction organization not stand with the drug users they say they represent? We need to ask ourselves --How can this be? Having alliances with other organizations has always been best practice and proven to help move forward agendas. Being in North Carolina for the protest ofH474 was an awesome beginning to understanding the issues with the legislature and getting involved with real advocacy in a red state that has very little democratic support. I believe that further engagement with NCHRC is important as well as making sure that NCHRC is truly understanding what they are called to do. Ifthey say they are harm reduction advocates and representing drug users, then they must be accountable to the community.