FyreBird Recovery Receives SCORF Funds!
We are THRILLED to announce that FyreBird Recovery has been awarded SCORF funds!
See our letter to the SCORF Board thanking them for necessary programmatic funding to further serve and assist our South Carolina community.
Dear Members of the South Carolina Opioid Recovery Fund (SCORF) Board,
The South Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition engages in grassroots advocacy, resource development, coalition building, and statewide messaging to improve the lives and safety of people who use drugs. Our mission is to encourage and motivate the implementation of harm reduction interventions, public health strategies, drug policy transformation, and justice reform in South Carolina.
We want to express profound gratitude for your recent decision to award opioid settlement funds to Fyrebird Recovery. As one of only two harm reduction programs in our state, which truly serve the needs of people who use drugs, this decision cannot be overstated in its importance. This forward-thinking step, especially in a state where harm reduction has historically faced resistance, is commendable and courageous.
Your action underscores a shift towards understanding and acknowledging that supporting the health and dignity of people who use drugs is imperative. By funding Fyrebird Recovery, you are preventing overdoses, reducing the risk of disease, and ultimately, reaffirming the inherent value of all South Carolinians. This action sets an uplifting precedent, showcasing the strength of compassion, safety, and time-tested, evidence-based strategies in promoting community health.
The opioid litigation and subsequent settlement funds hold a deeply personal meaning for all of us at SCHRC. This is not merely a financial issue but a symbolic representation of the loss and suffering caused by the war on drugs. These funds serve as a form of redress for the many friends and loved ones we have tragically lost and continue to lose, not only to the opioids themselves but to a systemic approach prioritizing punitive action over science, empathy, and support.
These funds inherently belong to those most directly affected - people who use drugs, those in recovery, their families, and the tireless workers on the ground in harm reduction. They are the individuals who continue to live through the stark realities of the war on drug users and understand its impact. Their experiences and insights are invaluable in directing these funds effectively to catalyze real, positive change.
Thank you for your leadership and vision. Your decision fosters immediate change and heralds a future where our state embraces a more understanding, public health-focused, and effective response to our public health emergency.
We hope that you continue to support community based organizations working directly with those most impacted by the overdose crisis.
Yours sincerely,
South Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition