I’m thrilled to share some exciting news: my first professional essay will be published in Health Affairs, one of the nation’s leading health policy journals, on September 3rd.
The piece is part of Health Affairs’ special issue on opioids and appears in their “Narrative Matters” section, which highlights stories from people with lived experience. My essay explores the perinatal period for me and my daughter, shining a light on how stigma and criminalization affect parents like me, and how policy choices can either perpetuate harm or create meaningful change.
Too often, parents who use or have used substances are criminalized instead of supported. This approach directly undermines the stated goal of keeping parents and babies together and healthy. My own story is one example of the many families caught in this tension.
Launch Event: September 2nd
To celebrate the release of this issue, Health Affairs is hosting a virtual launch event on September 2nd. Throughout the afternoon, you’ll hear from authors and researchers contributing to this important collection of essays and studies.
I’ll be speaking on a panel titled “Treatment Gaps for Youth and Justice-Involved Individuals,” starting at 3:15pm ET. It’s an honor to be included in this conversation, and I hope my perspective helps highlight one of the most entrenched forms of stigma: the judgment and punishment of pregnant people who use or have used drugs.
Join the Conversation
This issue of Health Affairs brings together research, policy, and personal stories to paint a fuller picture of the opioid epidemic. I’m excited (and deeply hopeful) that amplifying these voices will help shift both narratives and policies toward compassion and evidence-based care.
You can read my essay and the full issue here: Health Affairs – Special Issue on Opioids