Author: Elizabeth Hlavinka

Recent reports indicate a decline in drug overdose deaths nationally, with a 10% decrease in fatalities between April 2023 and April 2024. While this trend is promising, harm reduction workers on the ground express concerns, noting that some communities continue to experience alarming rates of overdose deaths. In Ashland County, Wisconsin, overdose fatalities have increased, particularly among American Indian Alaska Natives. Experts suggest various factors for the decline in overdoses, including the role of naloxone and medication-assisted treatments. However, the specific reasons remain unclear. Some speculate that the pool of individuals susceptible to overdoses may be shrinking, leading to a…

Police respond to an overdose call for a pregnant woman, administering Narcan to save her life. Shockingly, she is then charged with “abuse” of her “unborn child,” revealing a disturbing trend of pregnancy criminalization post-Roe v. Wade. The nonprofit Pregnancy Justice has documented 210 cases in a recent report, highlighting the increase in prosecuting pregnant individuals. The majority of cases involve child abuse charges, with no evidence of harm to the fetus required for prosecution. This trend reflects a broader effort to criminalize behavior during pregnancy, exemplifying the erosion of reproductive rights. Racial disparities are evident in these cases, with…