Evergreen Health to host the 2019 Western New York Harm Reduction Conference on September 20

BUFFALO, NY – September 17, 2019 – Evergreen Health will host the 2019 Western New York Harm Reduction Conference from 9 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. on Friday, September 20 at Hotel Henry in the Towers Ballroom. For the second year in a row, Evergreen, a recognized leader at the state level in Harm Reduction and drug user health, will bring together service providers, community leaders, public health officials and educational institutions to examine the benefits of the harm reduction public health approach to caring for people who use drugs.

“The Harm Reduction approach and philosophy is gaining momentum in the healthcare field,” said Ray Ganoe, president and CEO of Evergreen Health. “At Evergreen, we have created a continuum of care for people who use drugs, which include practical strategies to reduce potential harms – harm reduction – that drug users face.”

The conference will explore the following topics: the Harm Reduction philosophy and social determinants of health; how to destigmatize healthcare; the roles different entities can play in the Harm Reduction Movement; how to provide access to medication assisted treatment; insights from people with lived experience; the role of social justice in services for people who use drugs.

“We love people who use drugs and others who are underserved by the healthcare system and value the opportunity to bring together experts to share how to provide quality services and programs for them,” said Emma Fabian, MSW, senior director of harm reduction at Evergreen Health. “We are proud to host this conference again for our partners and community members, especially at Hotel Henry – a pillar in our region that serves as a beautiful reminder that policies, regulations and belief systems can and do change.”

This year’s speakers include:
• Gale Burstein, Commissioner of the Erie County Department of Health
• Allan Clear, Director of the New York State Office of Drug User Health
• Dr. Kimberly Sue, Medical Director of the Harm Reduction Coalition
• Micheal Rice, filmmaker and director of award winning documentary Party Boi
• Representatives from Evergreen Health, Drug Policy Alliance, Office of Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, Katal Center, Truth Pharm, REACH Medical, Buffalo City Court, Partnership for the Public Good, Buffalo MATTERS

Due to a high level of interest, registration for the conference is at capacity. For more information about Evergreen’s Harm Reduction services, visit www.evergreenhs.org.

Evergreen Health fosters healthy communities by providing medical, supportive and behavioral services to individuals and families in Western New York – especially those who are living with chronic illness or who are underserved by the healthcare system. Visit www.evergreenhs.org for additional information.