Oklahoma Groups Host Concert To Raise Awareness On Addiction And Homelessness

Leaders of the Oklahoma Harm Reduction Alliance and the Be Heard Movement hope to reduce the stigma around helping people struggling with drug addiction and homelessness.

The two groups are holding a free concert to bring people together.

Josh Ellard is the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Harm Reduction Alliance and said the community needs to show more compassion to help people with addiction.

He said his organization helps people move forward and live productive lives by distributing lifesaving medication for drug overdoses and educating people about prevention efforts.

A lot of the clients they see use BeHeard.

The organizations give free showers, haircuts, and clothes to unhoused people.

Ellard encourages people to consider giving back because he said addiction and homelessness can happen to anyone.

"It affects everybody; it affects all families of all different kinds of incomes, and it can happen to you someday," Ellard said. "So we all need to care about our neighbors.”

Ellard said if you want to volunteer to help pack medication and distribute overdose prevention information, click here.

The event will be on Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Admiral and South 73rd East Avenue.