Pastoral Considerations with People Who Use Drugs and People at Risk of Overdose

Uplift the humanity of people who use drugs by including their voices and experiences in all facets of liturgy/church life. Provide space for people impacted by substance use to tell their stories.
Familiarize yourself with harm reduction resources, barriers to care, and drug policy/laws impacting people who use drugs in your city/state.
Using person-affirming and non-stigmatizing language when talking about substance use and the people who use them.
Include explicit mention of drug related stigma, incarceration, overdose, substance use/misuse/disorder, harm reduction, and recovery in sermons, prayers, benedictions, etc.
Acknowledge primary/vicarious trauma and complicated grief experienced by people who use drugs and their loved ones, especially in light of the current overdose crisis.
Solicit donations of and for harm reduction supplies, naloxone, and financial support for people who use drugs.
Connect with your local union of people who use drugs to see how you can provide support during this time.
Provide opportunities to ritualize the experiences of people who use drugs such as naming ceremonies for lives lost to overdose.
Make space/list meeting times for a variety of support programs including AA/NA/CA etc. including Harm Reduction Works, MARA, SMART Recovery, etc.