Carol Joan Newark

Newark's research focuses on U.S. drug policy, as well as the harm reduction approach to substance use. In addition to studying the harm reduction movement for her dissertation, her research looked at the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on people experiencing homelessness. The overarching themes in Newark's writings include drug policy reform and novel approaches to homelessness and substance use. Newark currently serves as the Executive Director of the Harm Reduction Institute, the only syringe services program (SSP) in Orange County, CA. She has worked in the field of harm reduction since 2016, and volunteers her time doing community organizing work with SSPs facing legal opposition.