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The California Opioid Safety Network is a statewide forum for all coalitions, organizations and individuals working to combat the opioid crisis in California.
Dear <<First Name>>,

We want to acknowledge and share in the collective hurt, anger, outrage, and grief over the killing of, and systemic violence enacted upon, communities of color, and Black people, in particular.

The response seen across the nation has brought up many issues in addition to the disproportionate police brutality these communities face. Addressing systemic racism and the historical oppression of Black people is vital to our work around overdose prevention. America’s War on Drugs is an example of how this systemic oppression has been reinforced for people of color (POC). The hyper-criminalization of Black Americans is seen in this case, as they still face discriminatory enforcement of drug laws. While the War on Drugs was wholly punitive and destabilized Black communities, the messaging around the opioid epidemic has become much more restorative for its White victims. Thanks to your work, more communities are approaching substance use as a chronic disease that needs treatment instead of incarceration. 

The past two weeks have highlighted the imperative duty we have as leaders to stand up against injustice and actively seek to secure the health, safety, and rights of Black communities in our country. Racism is a public health issue. Police brutality is a public health issue. Systemic disenfranchisement of Black lives and bodies is a public health issue. The work you are doing in your communities is crucial and will contribute to the systemic overhaul we need for real and lasting change. 
 
Below, are resources on ways to learn and engage with this movement that we have found particularly valuable:
We especially encourage those of you who are White to understand your privilege and continue to seek out opportunities to understand, challenge, and learn about race and racism in the United States. Below you will find a list of resources that our staff have personally found to be meaningful: With great care and compassion,

Carmen Rita Nevarez, MD, MPH
Director, Center for Health Leadership and Practice
Vice President, External Relations and Preventive Medicine
Public Health Institute
www.californiaopioidsafetynetwork.org
Copyright © 2020 Center for Health Leadership and Practice, All rights reserved.

info@healthleadership.org
510-285-5586

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