Bridgetown

A Harm Reduction Novel

By: Jordan P. Barnes

Narrated by: Savannah Gilmore

Finalist, 2021 Indies Today Book Awards

Finalist, 16 Th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards (Addiction and Recovery Category)

Harm reductionist Harley Hammond manages a dedicated team at the Bridgeworks Syringe Access Program in the heart of Portland, Oregon. Known as a pillar of compassion and hope, she fights for the rights and well-being of people who use drugs.

When a torrent of fentanyl-laced heroin floods a city already crippled by the failed War on Drugs, overdose preventions are overwhelmed and the Bridgeworks team rushes to put life-saving supplies into the hands of those who need them most. As fatal overdoses skyrocket, stigma, blame and fear further fuel an already volatile public health crisis. Risking her position and incarceration, Harley turns to dealers and unsanctioned risk reduction tactics in an attempt to not only “meet people where they’re at,” but ensure no one else gets left behind.

In the wake of his award-winning first book, One Hit Away: A Memoir of Recovery, Barnes dives into the pivotal role of harm reduction programs as they relate to human rights, mental health, and social justice. From safer consumption spaces to safer drug use, and following a chilling record set for fatal overdoses in the US, Bridgetown: A Harm Reduction Novel is a found-family journey packed with empathy and urgency to follow the science and pathways proven to work.

©2021 Jordan Prescott Barnes (P)2022 Jordan Prescott Barnes

Amazing book

I'm so sad this book is over, I enjoyed it so much. very informative.

Must read if you care about the opioid crisis

It’s hard to believe Jordan managed to write another book as good as his first, but he did! Bridgetown centers around a needle exchange and tells the story of those that run it and go there for services with the opioid epidemic at record highs. I love how Jordan educates about harm reduction while still telling an incredible story with realistic and painfully human characters. This book should be required reading for everyone right now. Fentanyl is killing a generation and books like this are part of the solution.

An important novel from an author who’s lived it

Jordan Barnes made a splash with his memoir One Hit Away. It was a serious and meaningful examination of his own experience with addiction and recovery, a story that many people were able to draw inspiration from. With Bridgetown, Barnes leverages that experience into a powerful novel that champions topics that need more attention—and fiction (especially great fiction like this) is a perfect way to do so. Coupled with the spot-on narration, this is a story you shouldn’t miss.

Amazing character development & an enlightening story line!

After finishing Jordan’s memoir, One Hit Away, I was excited to jump into his novel with both feet - and it did not disappoint. It took me on an emotional journey, and up to the very end of the book, I was still being surprised by the events of this story.

As a Portland native, I was interested in the story, the characters, the layer of truth in this fiction story. Portland does so much wrong; we approach drug abuse and recovery, wrong. This novel brings to light so many things we could be doing better.

The character development is so well done, I find myself wanting to get involved and do better, for these characters - and having to remind myself they aren’t real people, as this isn’t a nonfiction book.

In addition to the story itself being fantastic, the audio narration is top notch - vitally important in an audiobook. The characters had unique voices and traits, easily identifiable by the narrator. The interview at the end of the book is also amazing and thought provoking.

This novel left me wanting to spend time with the characters, and wanting to make change in my city…I look forward to researching more about the benefits of harm reduction and needle exchange programs, and will certainly look forward to Jordan’s next book - of any genre!

Must listen

Bridgetown is such an important book. It’s a book that will make you care deeply about all the characters and their stories, all while teaching you about harm reduction. The narration is also a perfect fit. You won’t want to stop listening.