Episode #27 High Truths with Thomas Wolf on Effective Harm ReductionEpisode #27 High Truths with Thomas Wolf on Effective Harm Reduction
High Truths on Drugs and Addiction
Are safe injection sites good for public health? What is the line between harm reduction and drug normalization? Do people who inject drugs or use drugs prefer to go to a site or do they prefer use in the comforts of their residence wherever that is? Do safe injection sites decrease deaths? Do they connect people to treatment? Listen to Tom Wolf, a man with lived experience in injecting drugs, living on the streets, and a true understanding of what addiction is and what is takes to recover. Thomas Wolf Tom Wolf is a formerly homeless recovering Heroin addict from San Francisco. In 2018, he spent 6 months homeless on the streets of the Tenderloin neighborhood struggling with Heroin and Fentanyl addiction. Thomas was arrested 6 times for holding drugs for street-level drug dealers and other offenses and went to jail before going to a 6-month inpatient treatment program where he found recovery. He is now an advocate for drug policy reform and recovery in San Francisco and beyond. Thomas is very active on social media and his story has been featured in local, national, and international news including CNN and the New York Times. You can find out more about Thomas at www.tomwolf.org Follow him on Twitter @MyTwolffamily
1:22:24•28 Jun 2021
Thomas Wolf: From Homelessness to Harm Reduction Advocate
“I always say that people who are in recovery are the nicest human beings ever and that you know the people who don't have an addiction.”
What if the very places meant to keep drug users safe are also part of a bigger debate on public health? In this episode of 'High Truths on Drugs and Addiction', Dr. Roneet Lev sits down with Thomas Wolf, a man who has lived the harsh realities of addiction.
Thomas, once homeless and battling heroin and fentanyl addiction on the streets of San Francisco, shares his journey from the depths of despair to becoming a voice for harm reduction and drug policy reform. Through candid conversation, they tackle tough questions: Are safe injection sites truly beneficial? Do they help reduce overdose deaths? And where do we draw the line between harm reduction and drug normalization?
Thomas' personal story isn't just about survival; it's about the power of recovery and the importance of mental health in overcoming addiction. His experiences provide a raw, honest look at the challenges faced by those struggling with substance use and highlight the critical need for effective harm reduction strategies. If you're looking to understand addiction from someone who has been there, this episode offers invaluable insights and a hopeful message for change.
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