Pastoral Considerations with People Who Use Drugs and People at Risk of Overdose
Pastoral Considerations with People Who Use Drugs and People at Risk of Overdose
Uplift the humanity of people who use drugsby 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 languagewhen 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 griefexperienced 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 drugsto see how you can provide support during this time.
Provide opportunities to ritualize the experiences of people who use drugssuch as naming ceremonies for lives lost to overdose.
Make space/list meeting times for a variety of support programsincluding AA/NA/CA etc. including Harm Reduction Works, MARA, SMART Recovery, etc.