Portraits from the Front Lines of the Overdose Crisis
The crisis of overdose has touched countless lives in the United States over the past several decades, and the number of people lost continues to rise. More than 93,000 lives were cut short by overdose in 2020, the most ever in history.
In the midst ofthis preventable tragedy, many people are working tirelessly to prevent more loss. On the ground, in the community, people are reaching out to people who use drugs to offer support, provide services, and share empathy.
This series of photographs and accompanying interviews features people working on the front lines to reduce overdose, challenge stigma, and broaden support for a humanistic harm reduction response to people who use drugs. Many have first-hand knowledge and expertise of this crisis from their own drug use, time on the street, and experience navigating challenges like housing and food insecurity, the criminal justice system, physical and mental health issues, racism, discrimination, and stigma. These are some of the program partners of Vital Strategies Overdose Prevention Program working in Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
We thank photographer Graham MacIndoe and writer/interviewer Susan Stellin for beautifully capturing the commitment and stories of people working to #EndOverdose in the United States.
This series of photographs and accompanying interviews features people working on the front lines to reduce overdose, challenge stigma, and broaden support for a humanistic harm reduction response to people who use drugs.
Explore the Portraits
