Our aim is to provide impactful, helpful information about harm reduction, including why this work matters and how to advocate for these efforts across Michigan.
These events are free and open to the public—we encourage anyone who is interested in learning more about addressing the opioid epidemic in their communities to register below and attend our sessions.
Police officers are frequently the first point of contact after an overdose, making law enforcement a key partner in harm reduction strategies. By transitioning from a punitive approach to one centered on medical intervention and resource connection, departments can turn moments of crisis into life-saving entry points for recovery.
For our first educational opportunity of 2026, we’re bringing together law enforcement agencies from different counties for a conversation on law enforcement’s role in harm reduction. Panelists will discuss the various strategies and tactics their agencies use to support substance use harm reduction and how overdoses have impacted their communities. We’ll also talk about what has changed since implementing supportive harm reduction practices and what could help or hinder overdose prevention efforts.
Government affairs consultant Emily Henderson, from Lansing-based lobbying firm McCall Hamilton, presented tips on advocating for harm reduction in Michigan. She discussed the statewide impacts of recent and pending opioid and harm reduction legislation and share how advocates can engage with elected officials to influence positive policy change.
Jonathan JK Stoltman, PhD, presented helpful tips and lead a discussion on honing your harm reduction media tools.
Stoltman is co-director of Reporting on Addiction and director of the Opioid Policy Institute, a research think tank that uses multipronged approaches to better understand gaps in treatment and recovery services. He completed his PhD in Lifespan Developmental Psychology from West Virginia University and has worked as a researcher focusing on opioid addiction treatment and recovery since 2013. During this time, Jonathan’s academic work has appeared in leading journals, national conferences, and various media outlets.
We have lost over 1.1 million people to preventable drug overdoses since the opioid crisis began nearly 25 years ago and over 1,200 lives to overdose in Michigan in 2024. These overdose victims are friends, family members, and loved ones.
MOPC supports overdose prevention efforts in Michigan, including legislative advocacy to expand access to naloxone and SSPs. Coalition members have lived experience related to substance use and overdose—both personal and professional—via the healthcare system, syringe service programs, treatment programs, county associations, law enforcement, familial relationships, sex work, and harm reduction organizations. Learn more about our work here.
