Communities in Crisis: Innovative Approaches to Harm Reduction
Communities in Crisis: Innovative Approaches to Harm Reduction
This photo series utilizes a blend of documentary, portrait, and photojournalism photography techniques to capture the team and work that goes on behind the scenes in the Chicago Health Department's Office of Substance Abuse and Recovery Services. After living with family members experiencing addiction as a young adult, I have often focused my photographic and journalistic skills on dispelling the stigma surrounding addiction. I hope my work encourages communities and their members to build and maintain connections, and use that connection to take action. Whether this is through attending and supporting overdose trainings or orgnizations providing essential services to those experiencing unsheltered homelessness, issues which often intersect with a wide variety of sociopolitical issues. Many thanks for all the time and assistance from those in the CDPH office who helped make these photos possible.
Patricia T. Johnson counts finished kits
Shirley Tankersley packs testing kits alongside other office staff
One of CDPH's public health vending machines, this one is located on the third floor of the Harold Washington Library
Ethan Yau and Juan Vega, both employees at the Office of Substance Abuse and Recovery chat in the supply area
Ethan Yau holds a sign used to promote inclusive language in recovery care
An example of a Drug Checking kit that gets loaded into the vending machines.
Maria Fortio packs kits with guidence from Ethan Yau
Naloxone distrobution point located in a branch of the Chicago Public Library
Repurposed newspaper stands used for Naloxone distribution throughout the Uptown neighborhood
Repurposed newspaper stands used for Naloxone distribution throughout the Uptown neighborhood
Repurposed newspaper stands used for Naloxone distribution throughout the Uptown neighborhood
Madeleine Saldon in her cubical
Ethan Yau, Juan Vega talk and other staffers talk in the office.
As projects expand reorganization of supplies is in progress to further streamline the process.