Women’s History Month is a chance to honor the progress of women across all fields. Women have played tremendous roles in the history of all the services that Alliance provides, including HIV testing, treatment, awareness, and advocacy; income equality; fair housing; and more. In the field of harm reduction, women have led agencies from the National Harm Reduction Coalition to Harm Reduction International and New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition.
Participants at Alliance LES Harm Reduction Center shared their experiences and perspectives during Women’s History Month.
Cecelia C.
Q: Hi Cecilia. Thanks for talking with us. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
A: Sure. I’m 53 years old. I’m multiracial. I live in the neighborhood here, near Chinatown and the LES.
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: I like to cook, exercise, go bowling, go to the beach, see movies, lots of stuff. I’m very clean and like to have order--I have a lot of OCD, haha.
Cecilia
Q: What have been your drugs of choice?
A: Heroin has always been the big one. I was addicted and living on the streets, and a few years ago I legally died for 10 minutes during an overdose. When I was revived I decided I wanted to cut back on my use and eventually stop all together.
Q: In your experience, what are some of the challenges that women who use drugs face more than men?
A: I can’t speak for all women, but I was raped on the streets. I was living on the streets for two years. And I’ve been in toxic relationships, which have always been one of the big triggers for my relapsing or using way too much. I want to feel like my true self, and stay away from these triggers.
Q: How long have you been coming to Alliance LES Harm Reduction Center?
A: I’ve been coming here regularly for a little over a year now. I knew for a while that I wanted to change the way I was living and stop using drugs. I was tired of using drugs and not feeling like myself. I saw the LES Harm Reduction Center because I live in the neighborhood and immediately was welcomed.
Q: Since you said you’re trying to stop taking opioids, what does your treatment plan look like?
A: I’ve been on Methadone for a while (not through Alliance), and it helps control my cravings, but I don’t want to be dependent on any substance anymore. My Methadone prescription used to be 80, now it’s down to 60, and eventually I’m going to get it down to 0. And Ana, my counselor that we’re here talking with, is amazing. She connects me with the right people to access my benefits. I feel comfortable with her because she’s supportive and gives me good feedback.
Q: And have there been any big challenges in your treatment?
A: Nothing major. I’m very strong-minded. I have goals. I’m trying to get my kids back. They’re in foster care now.
Q: Finally, since it’s Women’s History Month, can you tell us who are some of your sheroes?
A: My shero is my godmother. She has always been very supportive. So is my younger sister, who is the mother of two kids with autism.
Cecilia with Ana (Edmonds)