Truth Pharm launches Never Use Alone New York
Binghamton, NY – Truth Pharm is excited to announce a partnership with Never Use Alone to launch a new hotline which offers a method for New Yorkers who use drugs alone, more safely, staffed by New York harm reductionists. Never Use Alone is a national movement, created with the goal to meet people wherever they are in the midst of a worsening fatal overdose crisis. Trained volunteer operators from around the state are available 24/7 to answer calls from people about to consume drugs to ensure they stay responsive during the process. If they stop responding during the call, the operators call emergency services to respond to the overdose. Just yesterday a life was saved utilizing the hotline.
“This is a great expansion of local harm reduction services for New York,” said Stephen Murray, Truth Pharm Board Member and State Administrator for Never Use Alone Massachusetts, Vermont and New York. “This community stepped up in a big way on day one, with more than forty-five initial volunteer applications,” he said.
The hotline number is 1-800-997-2280. The first group of operators went through initial training on Wednesday and are ready to answer calls.
“We couldn’t be more proud to provide yet one more life saving, non-stigmatizing, judgement-free tool,” said Alexis Pleus, Executive Director of Truth Pharm, who is sponsoring the effort. “These are the measures we must take to keep people alive until Safer Consumption Spaces exist and we have ended the drug war.”
The Never Use Alone hotlines have taken over 1,800 calls since their inception last year. Emergency Medical Services have been activated five times, with all callers having a positive outcome.
Mike Brown, the founder of Never Use Alone added, “I am so proud of the harm reductionists of New York for getting another line going. Together we can make a difference.”
Truth Pharm is a local nonprofit with a coast to coast reach with branches in California, Binghamton, Sherburne-Earlville and Chenango County. Truth Pharm’s mission is to raise awareness, reduce the stigma, educate the public and advocate for policy and law changes to reduce the harms of substance use.
For more information about Truth Pharm, visit their website at www.truthpharm.org or email: info@truthpharm.org.