Ricky N. Bluthenthal
@rnbluthenthal.bsky.social
Husband, father, Chair, & Distinguished Professor, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences at Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California. Fan of UC Santa Cruz, harm reduction, & helping out. (he/him/his)
Reposted by Ricky N. Bluthenthal
From @michellegamage.bsky.social: Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum have been found guilty of drug trafficking, after they operated a compassion club in the midst of a deadly overdose crisis.
The conviction is suspended as their lawyers start a constitutional challenge. thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
The conviction is suspended as their lawyers start a constitutional challenge. thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
DULF Founders Guilty of Drug Trafficking | The Tyee
Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum didn’t have permission to sell tested drugs despite good intentions, court finds.
thetyee.ca
November 7, 2025 at 11:08 PM
From @michellegamage.bsky.social: Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum have been found guilty of drug trafficking, after they operated a compassion club in the midst of a deadly overdose crisis.
The conviction is suspended as their lawyers start a constitutional challenge. thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
The conviction is suspended as their lawyers start a constitutional challenge. thetyee.ca/News/2025/11...
Reposted by Ricky N. Bluthenthal
Breaking: the founders of DULF have been found guilty of three counts of drug trafficking. @michellegamage.bsky.social will have the full story later today thetyee.ca/News/2025/10...
Safe Drugs on Trial: DULF’s Trafficking Case Begins | The Tyee
The founders are charged with trafficking. Their lawyers argue they had a legal exemption from drug laws.
thetyee.ca
November 7, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Breaking: the founders of DULF have been found guilty of three counts of drug trafficking. @michellegamage.bsky.social will have the full story later today thetyee.ca/News/2025/10...
Reposted by Ricky N. Bluthenthal
October 31, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Had an interesting and thoughtful conversation about harm reduction and the challenges of substance use disorder with Chad LaComb. www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0b-...
Episode 21- Harm Reduction Policies: Are they helping or hurting?
YouTube video by Falling to Freedom Podcast
www.youtube.com
October 29, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Had an interesting and thoughtful conversation about harm reduction and the challenges of substance use disorder with Chad LaComb. www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0b-...
Reposted by Ricky N. Bluthenthal
A patient losing “my seizure medication” to a sweep was the reason I was consulted recently. Couldn’t get another appointment/meds in a timely way (because we have a neurologist shortage and a broken system) and they keep seizing. Would be kinder (and cheaper) to pay for housing over hospital visits
We asked people who lived in homeless encampments that were cleared out in city “sweeps” to write about what object was the hardest for them to lose.
“They took my baby pictures and my moms obituaries,” a man in California wrote.
(Published Dec. 2024)
“They took my baby pictures and my moms obituaries,” a man in California wrote.
(Published Dec. 2024)
“I Have Lost Everything”: The Toll of Cities’ Homeless Sweeps
Cities often take belongings — including important documents and irreplaceable mementos — when they conduct sweeps of homeless encampments. ProPublica gave notecards to people across the country so th...
projects.propublica.org
October 25, 2025 at 8:45 AM
A patient losing “my seizure medication” to a sweep was the reason I was consulted recently. Couldn’t get another appointment/meds in a timely way (because we have a neurologist shortage and a broken system) and they keep seizing. Would be kinder (and cheaper) to pay for housing over hospital visits
Reposted by Ricky N. Bluthenthal
"PFNA is so hazardous that the EPA struck an agreement with eight companies to phase it out nearly two decades ago."
And yet, the report is stuck in limbo, still not released to the public.
And yet, the report is stuck in limbo, still not released to the public.
NEW An EPA report found that PFNA, a chemical in the drinking water of some 26M people, interferes with development and likely causes liver problems & male reproductive harms. The report was done in April, scientists told me. But the agency hasn't released it
www.propublica.org/article/epa-...
www.propublica.org/article/epa-...
Scientists Completed a Toxicity Report on This Forever Chemical. The EPA Hasn’t Released It.
Agency scientists found that PFNA could cause developmental, liver and reproductive harms. Their final report was ready in mid-April, according to an internal document reviewed by ProPublica, but the ...
www.propublica.org
October 9, 2025 at 2:32 PM
"PFNA is so hazardous that the EPA struck an agreement with eight companies to phase it out nearly two decades ago."
And yet, the report is stuck in limbo, still not released to the public.
And yet, the report is stuck in limbo, still not released to the public.
Reposted by Ricky N. Bluthenthal
Call for papers for Special Issue: Including lived experience in substance use research think.taylorandfrancis.com/special_issu...
Including lived experience in substance use research
think.taylorandfrancis.com
September 29, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Call for papers for Special Issue: Including lived experience in substance use research think.taylorandfrancis.com/special_issu...
Reposted by Ricky N. Bluthenthal
Reposted by Ricky N. Bluthenthal
This may be the most important paper ever published about NIH funded research.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
What if NIH had been 40% smaller?
Replaying history with less NIH funding shows widespread impacts on drug-linked research
www.science.org
September 25, 2025 at 9:20 PM
This may be the most important paper ever published about NIH funded research.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Ricky N. Bluthenthal
An HIV outbreak in Maine points to a series of poor policy decisions, including ending needle-exchange programs and clearing a homeless encampment. As those policies go national, there is a risk the disease will spread, too: kffhealthnews.org/news/article... @brian-goldstone.bsky.social
An HIV Outbreak in Maine Shows the Risk of Trump’s Crackdown on Homelessness and Drug Use - KFF Health News
Public health experts and advocates say the outbreak has been fueled by a confluence of local factors, including the sweeping of a homeless encampment and shuttering of a sterile-syringe program. But ...
kffhealthnews.org
September 23, 2025 at 7:12 AM
An HIV outbreak in Maine points to a series of poor policy decisions, including ending needle-exchange programs and clearing a homeless encampment. As those policies go national, there is a risk the disease will spread, too: kffhealthnews.org/news/article... @brian-goldstone.bsky.social
Reposted by Ricky N. Bluthenthal
Reposted by Ricky N. Bluthenthal
We’re hearing about HIV and people who use drugs, stigma, and HIV criminalization reform from Ricky Bluthenthal, Valerie Earnshaw, and Trevor Hoppe in the next hour on 24 Hours to Save AIDS Research. Join us! bit.ly/45Qftts #saveAIDSresearch #HIV #HIVresearch
September 16, 2025 at 10:21 PM
We’re hearing about HIV and people who use drugs, stigma, and HIV criminalization reform from Ricky Bluthenthal, Valerie Earnshaw, and Trevor Hoppe in the next hour on 24 Hours to Save AIDS Research. Join us! bit.ly/45Qftts #saveAIDSresearch #HIV #HIVresearch
Reposted by Ricky N. Bluthenthal
My friends nephew was found dead in an Oregon jail cell a couple days ago on September11, 2025.
Oregon has a horrible death in custody rate, it is much higher than the national average.
@tinakotek.bsky.social
Oregon liberals do not care enough to act.
share.google/ZxeWbUKHpz39...
Oregon has a horrible death in custody rate, it is much higher than the national average.
@tinakotek.bsky.social
Oregon liberals do not care enough to act.
share.google/ZxeWbUKHpz39...
Death at Jefferson County Jail under investigation by Deschutes County Sheriff's Office
(Update: Adding video) MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- An inmate's death at the Jefferson County Jail is currently under investigation by the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office.KTVZ News has learned through a m...
share.google
September 13, 2025 at 2:14 PM
My friends nephew was found dead in an Oregon jail cell a couple days ago on September11, 2025.
Oregon has a horrible death in custody rate, it is much higher than the national average.
@tinakotek.bsky.social
Oregon liberals do not care enough to act.
share.google/ZxeWbUKHpz39...
Oregon has a horrible death in custody rate, it is much higher than the national average.
@tinakotek.bsky.social
Oregon liberals do not care enough to act.
share.google/ZxeWbUKHpz39...
Reposted by Ricky N. Bluthenthal
I made this video about what is really going on with these “fentanyl exposure” stories because I got tired of explaining the same thing over and over: www.youtube.com/watch?v=215h...
The Myth(s) of Fentanyl Exposure
YouTube video by Ryan Marino, MD
www.youtube.com
September 7, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Reposted by Ricky N. Bluthenthal
We can do good things!
For the past three years, the city has been giving cash to some struggling renters, no strings attached.
The first-in-the-nation experiment has been even more successful than researchers studying its impact expected.
The first-in-the-nation experiment has been even more successful than researchers studying its impact expected.
Philly’s first-in-the-nation experiment giving cash to struggling renters is working, researchers say
Families that got cash rental assistance were less likely to be evicted, experience homelessness, and report having serious problems with their homes, according to a study of the PHLHousing+ program.
www.inquirer.com
September 3, 2025 at 12:11 PM
We can do good things!
Reposted by Ricky N. Bluthenthal
This hits right on time…
My wife and I had the great privilege of visiting the African-American Museum in DC, and let me just tell you if you have not been…It is a masterpiece—go.
My wife and I had the great privilege of visiting the African-American Museum in DC, and let me just tell you if you have not been…It is a masterpiece—go.
August 25, 2025 at 2:34 AM
This hits right on time…
My wife and I had the great privilege of visiting the African-American Museum in DC, and let me just tell you if you have not been…It is a masterpiece—go.
My wife and I had the great privilege of visiting the African-American Museum in DC, and let me just tell you if you have not been…It is a masterpiece—go.
Reposted by Ricky N. Bluthenthal
📢 Call for Proposals! AMERSA invites submissions for Position Statements to guide policy & advocacy on substance use education, research, prevention, & treatment. Shape the conversation—deadline August 31!
Details & submission here: amersa.org/submit-a-pos...
Guidelines: amersa.org/wp-content/u...
Details & submission here: amersa.org/submit-a-pos...
Guidelines: amersa.org/wp-content/u...
August 1, 2025 at 2:00 PM
📢 Call for Proposals! AMERSA invites submissions for Position Statements to guide policy & advocacy on substance use education, research, prevention, & treatment. Shape the conversation—deadline August 31!
Details & submission here: amersa.org/submit-a-pos...
Guidelines: amersa.org/wp-content/u...
Details & submission here: amersa.org/submit-a-pos...
Guidelines: amersa.org/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Ricky N. Bluthenthal
massive investment in accessible social housing to guarantee homes for all is the solution to mass homelessness
substance use and psychiatric injury are CONSEQUENCES of housing deprivation, not causes
people become homeless because the RENT IS TOO HIGH
theconversation.com/why-involunt...
substance use and psychiatric injury are CONSEQUENCES of housing deprivation, not causes
people become homeless because the RENT IS TOO HIGH
theconversation.com/why-involunt...
Why involuntary medical admission and treatment won’t solve homelessness
The arguments made by advocates for involuntary medical admissions and treatment aren’t supported by science.
theconversation.com
November 16, 2024 at 11:47 PM
massive investment in accessible social housing to guarantee homes for all is the solution to mass homelessness
substance use and psychiatric injury are CONSEQUENCES of housing deprivation, not causes
people become homeless because the RENT IS TOO HIGH
theconversation.com/why-involunt...
substance use and psychiatric injury are CONSEQUENCES of housing deprivation, not causes
people become homeless because the RENT IS TOO HIGH
theconversation.com/why-involunt...
Reposted by Ricky N. Bluthenthal
The shit part is that we did not learn from history. We didn't learn one single thing from all of that. Repeating the same mistakes over and over shows inability or unwillingness to learn.
total sad.
total sad.
When I was little, the U.S. military came to our home at gunpoint and took me and my family away. We were imprisoned for years in barbed wire camps simply because we were Japanese American. I have spent my life telling that story, hoping it would never be repeated.
July 21, 2025 at 5:54 PM
The shit part is that we did not learn from history. We didn't learn one single thing from all of that. Repeating the same mistakes over and over shows inability or unwillingness to learn.
total sad.
total sad.
Reposted by Ricky N. Bluthenthal
Reposted by Ricky N. Bluthenthal
Today is Zero HIV Stigma Day.
Ending HIV stigma is essential to ending the HIV epidemic.
HealthJustice supports organizations and leads research centering dignity, equity, and the leadership of those most impacted, including by HIV and related stigma.
Ending HIV stigma is essential to ending the HIV epidemic.
HealthJustice supports organizations and leads research centering dignity, equity, and the leadership of those most impacted, including by HIV and related stigma.
July 21, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Today is Zero HIV Stigma Day.
Ending HIV stigma is essential to ending the HIV epidemic.
HealthJustice supports organizations and leads research centering dignity, equity, and the leadership of those most impacted, including by HIV and related stigma.
Ending HIV stigma is essential to ending the HIV epidemic.
HealthJustice supports organizations and leads research centering dignity, equity, and the leadership of those most impacted, including by HIV and related stigma.
Reposted by Ricky N. Bluthenthal
I’m so proud of our nation’s scientists, who despite retaliation and intimidation, are not sitting back quietly!
Head over to standupforscience.net to sign our support statement for these brave NASA resisters ✊🏼❤️
#standupforscience
#voyagerdeclaration
www.cnn.com/2025/07/21/s...
Head over to standupforscience.net to sign our support statement for these brave NASA resisters ✊🏼❤️
#standupforscience
#voyagerdeclaration
www.cnn.com/2025/07/21/s...
‘Catastrophic impacts’: NASA workers sign declaration to protest changes they say threaten safety and progress | CNN
Current and former NASA employees have co-signed a declaration protesting changes at the agency that some say pose a grave risk to astronauts.
www.cnn.com
July 21, 2025 at 1:08 PM
I’m so proud of our nation’s scientists, who despite retaliation and intimidation, are not sitting back quietly!
Head over to standupforscience.net to sign our support statement for these brave NASA resisters ✊🏼❤️
#standupforscience
#voyagerdeclaration
www.cnn.com/2025/07/21/s...
Head over to standupforscience.net to sign our support statement for these brave NASA resisters ✊🏼❤️
#standupforscience
#voyagerdeclaration
www.cnn.com/2025/07/21/s...
Reposted by Ricky N. Bluthenthal
Many institutions, programs, and individual scientists are stepping back from supporting the efforts to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion. Doing so is a mistake. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
This is not the time to step back from diversity, equity, and inclusion
Recently, I exchanged views with a prominent Ivy League scientist who was complaining about the minority students and junior faculty applying to his program. He claimed that the university, through di...
www.science.org
July 21, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Many institutions, programs, and individual scientists are stepping back from supporting the efforts to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion. Doing so is a mistake. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Ricky N. Bluthenthal
How do authoritarians destroy universities? open.substack.com/pub/lucid/p/...
How Authoritarians Target Universities
What happens on campus reflects and often anticipates democratic decline.
open.substack.com
July 12, 2025 at 3:38 PM
How do authoritarians destroy universities? open.substack.com/pub/lucid/p/...