Abdullah Shihipar

About

Abdullah Shihipar is a writer, designer and artist. His writing often focuses on overdose prevention and harm reduction. He is also interested in the public health impacts of punitive immigration policies and other forms of state violence. As a writer, he has contributed to publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Nation, and Teen Vogue, among others.

He currently leads Narrative Projects and Policy Impact initiatives at the People, Place & Health Collective (PPHC) at the Brown University School of Public Health. He has a B.Sc in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Toronto and a Masters of Public Health from Brown University.

Recent Posts

Why Re-Criminalizing Drugs Is a Mistake

Personal Perspective: Oregon is set to repeal its drug decriminalization measure. Here's why that's a mistake.

How to Judge Harm Reduction's Success

Harm reduction is making strides in the US but also facing a backlash. The data and evidence base shows how it works, but misunderstandings persist. Here's how to understand it.

It's Time to Talk About Safe Drug Use

Fentanyl is showing up in more and more drugs. Talking to family about safe drug use will help keep them safe.

Mass Death Is a Choice

Whether it is COVID-19 or overdose, the U.S. has long chosen to accept mass death.

Harm Reduction Is Not About Messaging

Does harm reduction messaging work for gatherings during the pandemic? Or have we misunderstood the term?

Using Our Imagination in Harm Reduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a rise in overdoses. It's time to propose new solutions to meet the moment.

Election 2020: Drug Courts Aren’t the Solution

Trump and Biden both talk about the overdose crisis and drug use. How do the candidates' drug policy platforms match up?

Critiquing Politicians: Let's Leave Drugs Out of It

Commenting on politicians' alleged drug use, or using it as a punchline, has become a common theme in politics. Let's leave drugs out of it.

Breonna Taylor: Victim of the Drug War

The drug war is killing people in more ways than we think.

The Fentanyl Hysteria: Fact and Fiction

Some people believe you can overdose if you touch fentanyl or come into physical proximity to it. How true is this?