Trail of Truth Welcomes Core Planning Advisors Dinah Adames, Kevin Moore, and Lupe L. Salazar
Dinah Adames (Left), Kevin Moore (Middle), and Lupe L. Salazar (Right) have been hard at work planning the first ever National Trail of Truth
Trail of Truth is proud to announce our collaboration with activists Dinah Adames, Kevin Moore (Courage Medicine) and Lupe Salazar (Barrios Unidos).
Dinah Ortiz is an afrolatinx drug user activist who has fought for decades for system impacted communities. Co-chair on North Carolina’s Survivors Union Board of Directors and leadership team member of Urban Survivors Union, Board member of the Albert Einstein collaborative Impowr-me, as well advisory circle membe, Dinah prides herself in being a voice to those most marginalized. From working with formerly incarcerated women to women with a history of domestic violence, Ms. Ortiz-Adames has tried to give voice to the unheard. Participating in various platforms which include presenting on panels, in documentaries and as keynote speaker and plenary speaker to educate audiences on PWUD (People Who Use Drugs) and PWLE (People With Lived Experience) to de-stigmatize and disrupt the narrative.
Courage Medicine is a treatment organization that follows harm reduction principles. We've lost many people to overdose. We don't even know how to count them. We hope to be part of the answer to change treatment in the United States so people who have or do use drugs can access quality integrative medicine.
Kevin Moore, PsyD, is the Executive Director of Courage Medicine, a clinical psychologist, and harm reduction advocate.
Lupe Salazar is the Executive Director of Barrios Unidos in Chimayo NM. She is a certified peer support worker, and has an endorsement for older adults peer support worker. Lupe received her Bachelor of Science degree in Integrated Health Sciences. Lupe was born and raised in Espanola NM and has committed the last seventeen years of her life to understand the individual, family and community struggles with addiction and lack of resources in northern NM. In her years in the trenches at Barrios Unidos in Chimayo, she has learned how important it is to think outside the box when addressing trauma and root causes that lead individuals to use substances to cope with these traumas.
“Due to the opioid crisis, that was never acknowledged by my County or State, my people suffered silently. No more. Barrios Unidos is here to be of support to individuals struggling with addiction, support families shattered from the addiction, and re-engage community through the Spirit of Querencia. ”
She continues to advocate for individuals and families that are left to pick up the pieces shattered by the opioid epidemic that has not been fully addressed in our community. She continues to work with the grandparents who are struggling to raise the children impacted by their parents struggles. Individuals struggling in community find Lupe’s pop-up tent a welcome site whether it is for her “remedio outreach” or her “burrito outreach” because they know they will be treated with dignity and respect. Lupe’s motto is “Where there is breath-there is Hope”.
“My County placed a price tag on the back of the addict, and while they were down and out, someone was making a buck off of their hardship. So I am here a mom that is trying to make a difference in my communities.”