“You can’t go into treatment if you’re not alive.” That’s the truth behind harm reduction. It’s not about enabling drug use — it’s about keeping people alive long enough to have a chance at recovery. Patrick was introduced to heroin after a sports injury led to pain pills. Years later, he’s homeless on Chicago’s streets, battling addiction and painful wounds caused by xylazine — a powerful animal tranquilizer now mixed into street drugs. He’s been through treatment more times than he can count.