Tennessee Harm Reductionist Faces Charges for Drug Checking
August 21, 2025 by filtermag.org
Tennessee Harm Reductionist Faces Charges for Drug Checking
Dr. Paige Lemen, a harm reductionist and Tennessee researcher, was arrested while transporting a drug sample for testing. Suffering from an illness, she failed a sobriety test and faced multiple charges including intent to sell drugs. Police seized her lab equipment, medications, and mocked her during the arrest. Despite paying bail, her community work was hindered by increased police surveillance. The case highlights legal uncertainties around harm reduction practices. Lemen aims to prove her innocence in court but fears the outcome's impact on future drug checking cases. She stresses the importance of understanding and supporting harm reduction efforts.
