The Struggle of Death, Hope and Harm Reduction in the Midwest

For those of us who are suffering, how do we find joy and experience pleasure? How do we create a world in which less suffering is possible? What does it look like to build community in the face of such suffering, and how can we create communities that are safe for each and every person? 

These are the questions that Sarah Ziegenhorn, the 30-year-oldexecutive director of the Iowa Harm Reduction Coalition and a medical student at the University of Iowa, had in mind when she and her team organized the fourth annual Iowa Harm Reduction Summit. It took place October 3-5 in Iowa City in the name of Andy Beeler, who died in his home from an accidental heroin overdose in March. Beeler was a program coordinator at the Iowa Harm Reduction Coalition, beloved by the participants to whom he dedicated his life.

Read the full article available at filtermag.org.