Petition to Protect Harm Reduction and Recovery Services in Asheville, NC

To: Asheville City Council, Buncombe County Commissioners, and the North Carolina General Assembly

We, the undersigned, are residents, community members, and allies of Asheville and Buncombe County who believe that harm reduction and recovery services save lives, strengthen families, and protect our community.

Programs such as free naloxone (Narcan) distribution, syringe exchange services, detox and rehabilitation centers, and peer-support programs are essential in addressing the overdose crisis that continues to devastate our city and county. These services reduce the spread of disease, prevent fatal overdoses, connect people to recovery, and relieve the strain on our hospitals, first responders, and criminal justice system.

Defunding or cutting back on these services would endanger lives and weaken our community’s ability to respond effectively to addiction and the overdose crisis.

We call on our local and state leaders to:

1. Protect existing harm reduction and recovery funding from cuts or rollbacks.

2. Expand access to naloxone, syringe services, detox, and rehabilitation programs for all who need them.

3. Work with providers and the recovery community to create policies rooted in evidence, compassion, and public health.

Every life in our community matters. Harm reduction is not about enabling addiction — it is about keeping people alive long enough to find recovery. Asheville has lost too many already. We cannot afford to lose more.

We urge you to prioritize funding for harm reduction and recovery services now and in the future.