Mohawk Kellye Greene

Every four hours, someone in New York City dies of an overdose, more often than not from ingesting substances mixed with drugs they didn’t know were present, such as fentanyl. Advanced drug checking technologies exist that analyze substances for their exact content, but these technologies are  expensive, time-consuming, and not accessible to those most vulnerable. And while more accessible drug checking methods like fentanyl test strips can be used, their efficacy is limited and the results are unreliable in environments like the bathrooms of music venues where they are sometimes available. Mohawk is a harm reduction educator focused on young people within NYC nightlife. Championing a pragmatic approach to drug use, Mohawk takes to the streets to ensure New Yorkers can accurately test substances and reduce risks associated with their use via a mobile drug checking unit that offers overdose prevention education and testing results on the spot. Mohawk’s vision is to increase safety, awareness, and reduce unnecessary deaths in New York City’s youth populations — without judgment.