Sometimes a good solution to a problem isn't always the popular one

Harm Reduction

Since the late 1990’s the United States has been deeply entangled in an epidemic that is claiming the lives of an estimated 130 Americans every day. It is the opioid epidemic and although it has been nearly 30 years since pharmaceutical companies reassured the American public that patients would not become addicted to prescription pain killers the problem has been ever growing. There have been multifaceted approaches to the treatment of people suffering from opioid addiction including inpatient rehabilitation centers and self help programs. Most of these are widely accepted by the public however, there is one that is extremely polarizing and at times vehemently opposed. Harm reduction sites such as safe injection and needle exchanges are a viable piece of treatment models. They allow addicts who may not be ready to go into treatment programs or cannot currently be admitted due to overcrowding a safe space and access to clean needles to prevent overdoses and Intravenous diseases which potentially keeps them alive long enough so that they can get the opportunity to go to inpatient programs when they are able to. Millions of Americans are extremely opposed to these spaces being erected in their cities and towns despite the fact that they have saved countless lives in countries outside of the United States. 

For this project, a flier that will support safe injection sites will attempt to accomplish two things. The first, as previously mentioned, will be to support safe injection spaces and harm reduction as a model for the treatment of addiction. The second will be to humanize the addict and show that they are people who are sick, not morally bankrupt or bad, just sick. The approach will be to show a person that fits into the stereotype of a middle class suburbanite and include text discussing how they struggled to get off heroin as a result of being prescribed painkillers and almost died of an overdose, something that could have easily been prevented had they had access to a harm reduction site in their area.   

Universal Basic Income

Universal basic income, also known as UBI, is an economic model with the intent of providing all citizens of a defined geographic area (country, state, etc) with a given sum of money, regardless of their income, resources, or employment status. The point of doing so is to prevent or reduce poverty amongst people and promote equality among them as well. It is largely based on the idea that all citizens are entitled to a livable income, whether they contribute to production and despite the particular circumstances of their lives. 

This idea has been loosely discussed in the past however, now in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic and the meteoric rise of unemployment since March of 2020 it is a more pressing issue. According to the U.S. Department of Labor as of September 12.6 million Americans are unemployed and although that is a lower number than initially during the pandemic the unemployment rate is still around 8% which is more than double what it was prior to March.

There are several arguments for instituting a UBI in America: it directly combats poverty, it reduces “red tape” that makes it difficult for those who need assistance through them, it actively reduces the stigma around low income citizens who are largely viewed as lazy, dishonest, and unambitious, it promotes equality amongst people, it protects and empowers workers as industries move towards automation and would allow people to pursue their passions like art or owning a small business with less financial risk, and it could improve the economy.

There are currently a few pilot programs that are being/have been tested in places around the United States and the globe. In 2017 a program in Finland gave 2,000 unemployed people 560 Euro a month for 2 years regardless of their employment status and participants said it reduced stress and empowered them to look for good jobs or start their own businesses. 

With America having record unemployment numbers, an impending housing crisis due to increased homelessness, and the worst economic recession in our lifetimes discussing a UBI is not a potentially reasonable solution to these problems.

resources:

https://www.moneycrashers.com/universal-basic-income

https://www.thebalance.com/universal-basic-income-4160668

Headlines:

“going after your dreams isn’t as scary with a safety net”

“economic equality is human equality”

“ending poverty is the first step towards true equality"

Hashtag:

#basicisntbad

Thumbnails:

The above thumbnails are design ideas for the flyer in support of UBI. They are all a visual nod to the concept of the equality and financial reassurance that are potential outcomes of the institution of universal basic income. Thumbnail number 1 depicts a subject climbing a cliff made out of a financial line graph with a green safety net below him to catch him if he falls to illustrate how UBI would limit the financial risks of climbing towards ones dreams of pursuing their passions or owning their own business. Thumbnail 2 shows another financial line graph only this time in the shape of large steps with people helping each other up towards the top of them helping to visually solidify how a universal basic income is essentially people at the top helping people at the bottom get to the same level of financial independence. Thumbnail number 3 shows a person struggling to keep their head above water in a storm of debt and they are being tossed a life preserver off a paper boat that would be made of a folded up dollar bill to signify that a UBI is a financial lifeline to help people out of tough spots. Thumbnail number 4 shows two people standing on stacks of coins of varying heights where one person is passing a coin to the other from the higher to the lower stack in an effort to reach an equal level. This thumbnail illustrates how UBI aims to create human equality through a level financial situation. Thumbnail number 5 shows a small neighborhood built on equal stacks of coins serving as a metaphor about how financial equality through UBI is a strong foundation for happy healthy communities. In all the above thumbnails the headlines and body copy would be included in the large negative spaces left in the designs giving them room to breath and the chance to be a focal point for the audiences attention. The colors chosen in each were intentionally to compliment one another and work cohesively as well as to draw attention to specific parts of the flyer like the headlines or particular pieces of imagery. The colors may be changed or altered as needed depending on if a better palette is created that might strengthen the design chosen for the final product.