Our report From Crisis to Care: Addressing Addiction, Mental Health, and Homelessness through Health and Supportive Services discusses these connected issues, and solutions to build thriving communities.
Overdose deaths in the United States dropped by nearly 17% between July 2023 and July 2024. However, over 93,000 people died of drug overdose in that period, more than the number of people who died from vehicle-caused accidents or firearms combined. This remains an urgent public health issue that requires evidence-based solutions.
In partnership with Harm Reduction International (HRI), our report A World of Harm: How U.S. Taxpayers Fund the Global War on Drugs Over Evidence-Based Health Responses shows how U.S. assistance has supported and expanded destructive and deadly anti-drug responses in low- and middle-income countries around the world.
After losing her son to a fentanyl overdose, Susan has realized that calls for “tough on the border” policies around the drug won’t help. Prohibition has only led to a more dangerous illicit supply.
After losing her son to a preventable overdose, Susan became an advocate for decriminalizing drugs for personal use. She saw how policies based in punishment made it harder for him to seek and access the help he desperately needed.
After seeing her son struggle and fail to get the help he needed for his addiction, Susan realized drug policies need to change. People need access to effective treatment and supports, not punishment and barriers.
Susan lost her son to an overdose. She knows the pain of losing a child – and knows that her son’s pain was only made worse by failed systems and drug policies.
"Nobody wants to accept that their child might be injecting drugs. Not allowing them to have access to what they need is not going to stop them.” Harm reduction recognizes people use drugs, offering the support and tools needed to keep people alive and have a chance at recovery.
Susan’s son wanted help for his addiction. But he faced barrier after barrier in his search - from the criminal legal system, insurance companies, and more. People who are struggling need care, not more challenges.
In 2020, Susan Ousterman lost her son Tyler to an accidental overdose of fentanyl and xylazine. Today, Susan fiercely advocates for a public health approach to drug use to prevent overdose, improve health, and save lives.
