Gary Langis

Gary Langis

Interviewed on September 9, 2022 over Zoom

Recorded by Corinne Beaugard

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Summary:

Gary started his work in the late 1980s doing street outreach in and around Boston with friends. He never wanted to do this work and tried to avoid it, but his friends kept asking and the community’s need was great. It all started with distributing clean syringes and education about safe practices. The emergence of the HIV/ AIDS crisis catalyzed activism and harm reduction, as the virus increased stigma and fear surrounding all vulnerable groups. During the first decade or two, the work was all underground, self-funded, and done in the face of substantial cultural and legal challenges. The police were on a mission to stop the underground harm reduction movement and even targeted movement workers, including Gary. Despite the opposition, he persevered. Drug users were dying, dealing with unnecessary health complications, and social ostracization.

Gary described working amidst groups at the time, like ACT UP and the AIDS Brigade. Community organizations and individual organizers worked together to support each other’s missions and share resources.  Gary spoke passionately about the joys of doing work desperately needed by his community when the medical, social services, and government were ignoring them. Alongside the direct service, Gary spoke about civil disobedience and legislative activism, things he had no training for but learned on the job with his friends. He did whatever was needed, whether it was building connections in homeless encampments or at the statehouse- all pieces were essential to shifting policy and practice.  

Gary described how Massachusetts eventually had no need for his grassroots, member funded syringe exchange, as legislation changed, and the Department of Public Health set up state-funded exchanges. Victories like this were won through dedication, collaboration, and stamina, but were celebrated alongside the devastating losses of friends and family members over the years. 

I asked Gary if things have gotten any better over the past three decades. He shared that even though policies, law enforcement, and funding have generally improved, the drug supply is the frontier. Current drug users are faced with obstacles unheard of during his active drug using years. Unlike the heroin of the 60-early 2000s, fentanyl requires more frequent injection, which comes with an increased need for quantity of drugs and risks for infections. He said that opioids are supposed to offer comfort, like a warm blanket, but there’s no comfort in this constant chase. 

Like opioids, harm reduction offers some comfort. Comfort through compassion and through love. “That’s what harm reduction is- building relationships with folks who haven’t had relationships.” The nature of his work has shifted over time. Still busy as ever to keep the mission alive, he works on committees, sits on federally funded grants, and offers support to the next generation of activists.

Interviewer: Corinne Beaugard

Interview language: English

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