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Empathy Lens: Humanizing Images & Education for Reducing Stigma Against People Who Use Drugs (NNLM) Online
Stigmatizing language and imagery around substance use reinforce systemic inequities, uphold punitive narratives, and perpetuate harmful stereotypes that further marginalize people who use drugs. Yet many mainstream stock photo collections rely on dehumanizing, criminalizing, or sensationalized visuals, making it difficult for advocates, educators, and service providers to find materials that promote health equity and affirm the rights and realities of impacted communities. The Empathy Lens project (EmpathyLens.org) disrupts this pattern by offering a free online library of compassionate, realistic images captured at harm reduction and treatment organizations across Washington State. These photos highlight authentic, person-centered care in community-based settings, reflecting the resilience, agency, and humanity of people who use drugs. This session will explore how stigma in both language and visuals fuels discrimination and exclusion, while sharing practical strategies for selecting nonstigmatizing, accurate, and inclusive materials for outreach, education, and advocacy.
- Date:
- Thursday, December 4, 2025
- Time:
- 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
- Time Zone:
- Central Time - US & Canada (change)
- Online:
- This is an online event.
- Event URL:
- https://www.nnlm.gov/training/schedule
- Categories:
- Reference