Evergreen Health: featured in the WNED PBS docuseries “Overdose Epidemic”

Emma Fabian, associate vice president of harm reduction services at Evergreen Health, was recently featured in the second episode “Understanding the Science, the Stigma, and How to Save Lives” as part of the “Overdose Epidemic” docuseries produced by Patrick Kelly, WNED PBS. Emma, alongside other community leaders in the overdose prevention field, discussed the effects of the epidemic and the services we provide to combat it. The episode originally aired on March 29 and will continue to be broadcast.

The episode underscores the vital role of addiction science, the importance of reducing stigma of addiction, and the necessity of harm reduction tools in addressing the overdose crisis. It features interviews by Emma Fabian, Dr. Joshua Lynch, a national leader in addiction medicine, MATTERS Network, and Dr. Gale Burstein, Erie County health commissioner.

In the clip below, Emma welcomes viewers to see Evergreen’s 206 S. Elmwood Avenue location, including the syringe exchange program, the Drug User Health Coalition, and drop-in services offered at the Watkins building down the street, including a space to take a shower, do laundry and much more. Take a look:

“Success means saving lives, period,” said Emma. “Communities must have a variety of tools and interventions that can appropriately meet people where they are at, which is typically referred to as harm reduction. At Evergreen Health, we serve the person first and think people deserve state of the art medical care. Human dignity is a big deal in health care and harm reduction, and we recognize that despite what someone has been through and must do to survive, individuals must be treated as human beings and at Evergreen we greet everyone with a smile.”

The “Overdose Epidemic” series, produced by WNED PBS, is a collaborative effort with New York State Office of Addiction Services and Support (OASAS) to examine New York State’s addiction and overdose crisis, and raise awareness of services available in local communities for those impacted by addiction and overdose.

Learn more about the “Overdose Epidemic” docuseries here.

For more information about Evergreen Health’s services for people who use drugs, including the Syringe Exchange Program, substance use services, and other services for people who use drugs, visit evergreenhs.org.