Sixers donate to gun violence prevention groups

⚕️ PA Senate Votes Against Safe Injection Sites

Pennsylvania’s state Senate just approved legislation to ban safe injection sites, which are spaces for people to use drugs under clinical supervision to prevent overdoses. The bill passed 41-9, with every Republican and a majority of Senate Democrats voting in favor. The bill now heads to the House for approval. If it passes, Gov. Shapiro says he will sign it. [Inquirer 🔒]

• Philadelphia has been at the forefront of the debate over safe injection sites in the Commonwealth. Two local harm reduction advocates, Sarah Laurel and Nicole Bixler, share their hopes for the future 🎧

🧹 SEPTA’S Glow Up

From Friday, May 5 to Friday, Oct. 6, SEPTA’s Broad Street and Market-Frankford Lines will undergo deep cleaning and maintenance sessions. Each weekend, one of the 10 stations getting a scrub down will close at 8 p.m. on Friday and open on Monday at 5 a.m. Each makeover session will include repairs, sweeping, washing, and painting. [PhillyVoice]

🏀 Sixers Plays Fund Gun Violence Prevention

Eight Philadelphia 76ers players will donate up to $760 per assist to local gun violence prevention organizations in Games 1-4 of their playoff series against the Boston Celtics, as part of their Assists for Safe Communities Initiative. For tomorrow’s game, Dewayne Dedmon and Louis King are teaming up to donate to Every Murder is Real, which specializes in victim support and trauma services for those who have lost a loved one to homicide. [NBC Philadelphia]

🏠 Affordable Housing Rises in North Philly

The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) recently celebrated people moving into a new affordable housing project in Sharswood, North Philadelphia, as it enters the second phase of development. Nearly 600 units have been completed, and 1,200 are expected to be completed by March 2024. [KYW News]

💰 Wage Theft Lawsuit

The City recently ramped up efforts to enforce its 2016 wage theft law. For the first time this year, it sued an employer who stiffed workers. Hear from Juliana Reyes, investigative reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer, about the lawsuit and what it means for worker protections. [City Cast Philly 🎧]

Over 1,275 Philadelphians died from overdoses in 2021. A City investigation of the causes found that many people had previously sought help, highlighting the potential gaps and issues with how substance use disorder is currently treated.

Want to know more about how to reverse an overdose and maybe save a life yourself? Here’s a guide to the resources available in the city⚕️

Naloxone

• Naloxone, aka Narcan, temporarily knocks the opioids out of the opioid receptors in the brain, restoring normal breathing in a person who is on the verge of an overdose.
• You can get Narcan mailed to you for free from NextDistro, an online and mail-based harm reduction service.
• Here’s a video on how to properly administer the nasal spray. You can also register for a virtual Narcan training and learn at home.

Organizations to Support:

• Angels in Motion provides overdose prevention and training, certified recovery services, “care bags” filled with snacks, clothing, hygiene products, and resource information, and healthcare such as sterile syringe distribution, wound care, and more.
• SOL Collective works to end the overdose crisis and advocates for overdose prevention sites. They also provide outreach and Narcan training, and host supply drives and mutual aid fairs.
• Operation in my Backyard is a nonprofit that provides Narcan, safer injection supplies, Fentanyl testing strips, and more to those with substance use disorders.

🧘🏽‍♂️ Yoga | Tonight | 5:30 p.m.

Enjoy an all-levels class focused on abdominal strength and self-love affirmations. [$22, Germantown]

💖 Drag Bingo | Tomorrow | 7 p.m.

Play bingo for the chance to win fabulous prizes and treat yourself to Tito’s drink specials. Hosted by local drag icon Brittany Lynn. [free, Manayunk]

🎉 South Street Fest | Saturday | 11 a.m.

Explore eight blocks of international food and drinks, crafts and vendors, live performances, and more. [pay-as-you-go, South Philly]

Why Your Allergies Are So Bad This Year

If you’re sniffling and sneezing a lot right now, you’re not alone. Lead producer Laura Benshoff speaks with Dr. Marc Goldstein, allergist and immunologist at The Asthma Center, about why allergy season started early this year, and what you can do about it.