The Challenges Inc Podcast
Marc Burrows
Rural Harm Reduction with Michael Harney
Rural Harm Reduction with Michael Harney
Rural Harm Reduction with Michael Harney
Monday 11th August 2025
Explore rural harm reduction with Michael Harney, focusing on HIV, stigma, and healthcare access in vulnerable communities. Insights and advocacy.
Explicit
58 minutes
informative
challenging
hopeful
inspirational
About this podcast
Author:
The Challenges Inc Podcast
Overview:
Categories:
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Sobriety Toolkit
Sexual Stigmas & Myths
Body & Mind
Innovative Healing Arts
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Episodes:
74 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!Rural Harm Reduction: Voices & Challenges
Episode Overview
- Understanding HIV challenges in rural America.
- Importance of syringe exchange programs.
- Role of stigma in healthcare access.
- Insights from Native American health advocacy.
- Michael Harney's contributions to harm reduction.
The world would be better if we could stop judging one another, we could look each other in the eyes if it's culturally appropriate, and enjoy nature a little bit more.
In the first episode of The Needle and the Narrative, host Raymond Velazquez-Turner introduces listeners to a compelling discussion on harm reduction in rural communities. The podcast, part of a four-part series by Challenges Inc. SC, aims to illuminate the intersecting narratives of HIV, drug user health, and marginalized communities.
Raymond is joined by Michael Harney, a seasoned advocate and leader in rural health, who has dedicated decades to addressing the health disparities faced by vulnerable populations in Western North Carolina. Michael Harney, affectionately known as the 'needle guy,' shares his experiences from the frontlines of harm reduction advocacy. Since 1993, he has worked tirelessly with the Western North Carolina AIDS Project, co-founding the Needle Exchange Program of Asheville in 1994.
His work has been pivotal in advancing syringe access laws across North Carolina, providing essential services to communities often overlooked. The conversation delves into the unique barriers faced by individuals using drugs in rural settings, where access to healthcare is often limited, and stigma is pervasive. Michael highlights the disparities between rural areas and urban centers like Charlotte, emphasizing the need for federal support to extend vital health services to underserved regions.
Michael also discusses the cultural dynamics within Native American communities, particularly regarding HIV awareness and prevention. He recounts the challenges faced in the early days of advocacy when discussing HIV was seen as taboo and could potentially bring the infection into the tribe. Raymond and Michael explore the broader implications of harm reduction, advocating for a shift in perceptions and policies that stigmatize drug users.
Michael shares his vision for a world where judgment is replaced by understanding, and harm reduction becomes an integral part of daily life. This episode is a call to action, urging listeners to challenge dominant narratives and advocate for equitable healthcare solutions. As the series continues, The Needle and the Narrative promises to provide further insights into the complex issues surrounding public health in marginalized communities.