17 Attempts at Rehab: How Harm Reduction Saves Lives in Kensington

Homeless Unfiltered by Invisible People

Kensington, Philadelphia, is at the epicenter of America’s addiction and homelessness crises, and Melanie Beddis’s story reveals the harsh realities behind the headlines. A former Program Manager for Savage Sisters Recovery, Melanie opens up about how addiction took over her life, leading to 17 attempts at rehab, homelessness, and struggles with xylazine (tranq). Her journey is a powerful testament to the gaps in traditional recovery and the critical role harm reduction plays in saving lives.

This episode dives deep into the human toll of addiction and makes a compelling case for why we need both treatment and harm reduction to address the addiction crisis in this country. With raw honesty and hope, Melanie’s story challenges stigma and highlights real solutions to help those still suffering.

Watch our documentary on Savage Sisters Recovery.

Support Savage Sisters here: savagesisters.org

Executive producer: Mark Horvath Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway Associate producer: Erin McGinnis Created by: Alex Gasaway and Erin McGinnis

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Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change, and thoughtful dialogue around poverty and homelessness.