Conference on Drug Use and Sex Work in the South

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 20, 2011

CONTACT: Robert Childs, [email protected]

CONFERENCE “REDUCING HARM AND BUILDING COMMUNITIES: ADDRESSING DRUG USE IN THE SOUTH”

On Thursday, Sept 8^th & Friday, Sept 9^th, leaders of Southern nonprofits, human rights groups, policy makers, concerned citizens, public health officials and academics will gather to discuss drug use and sex work in the South and its implications for communities. Members of law enforcement and the N.C. legislature will join active sex workers and drug users on topics such as social justice, strategies to prevent HIV and hepatitis among drug users, overdose prevention, pill use in the South, drug policy reform, and syringe exchange. Other key discussion areas include drug use among migrant workers, sex workers, military veterans and people of transgender experience.

With North Carolina having over 230,000 crack smokers and injection drug users, 17 million prescriptions for oxycodone issued for the state’s 9 million residents, and with drug overdose as NC’s 4^th leading cause of death for 18-50 year olds, drug use and its effects permeate each of our communities. The conference will bring together progressive and conservative activists & Democrats and members of the Tea Party, as well as organizations such as Human Rights Watch, North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, Sex Workers Without Borders, UNC, Duke, Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, Women with A Vision and Atlanta Harm Reduction to foster discussion and to look for solutions.

“I have seen the violent impact of the drug war from the perspective of a journalist and a law enforcement officer,” says conference speaker Bob Scott, former Captain at the Macon County Sheriff’s office. “Now as the ravages of the HIV/AIDS epidemic sweep through our communities, felling loved ones who have become addicted, I say there is something we can do to turn the tide.”

WHAT: Conference on Drug Use and Sex Work in the South

WHO:Hosted by the NC Harm Reduction Coalition, Research Triangle Institute, Atlanta Harm Reduction Center, Women With a Vision and the Harm Reduction Coalition

WEN:Thurs, Sept 8^th and Fri, Sept 9^th from 9am-5pm

WHERE: RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Rd., Research Triangle Park, NC