About this project
We need your financial support to help us raise $12,000 so that we can secure time to finish In Exchange For A Life, a documentary about The Underground Syringe Exchange of Denver.
Summer 2008 we (Kyle Harris and Kevin Price of Improbable Pictures) were invited to spend a few weeks following The Underground Syringe Exchange of Denver (USED) as the group heroically defied Colorado State’s syringe exchange ban and exchanged clean needles for dirty ones. Three years later, we finished shooting over 140 tapes. Our footage chronicles this small group of activists touching the lives of Denver’s drug users, struggling to maintain an organization, and ultimately participating in the successful fight to legalize syringe exchange at the Colorado State Capital.
Once we have finished post-production on this project, our plan is to work closely with The Harm Reduction Action Center and harm reduction activists throughout the country to organize community screenings designed to spark conversations about syringe exchange programs in locations where injectors have no access to clean needles.
We believe this powerful story of a small group of activists mobilizing within their community to break the law to save lives will inspire organizers and addicts across the country to build syringe exchange programs to take care of their communities.
Any money we raise over $12,000 will help seed the distribution of the film and the associated outreach campaigns. When we meet our goal please consider donating to help us with the distribution of this project.
Your support in helping us complete this film is critical.
Thank you!
Kevin Price and Kyle Harris
FAQ
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No. Syringe exchange legalization implies that people can operate syringe exchange programs without threat of arrest. While some cities and states might elect to economically support syringe exchange programs through taxpayer revenue, this is not necessarily the case. Many syringe exchange programs receive support from foundations and private contributions.
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There is broad consensus among the medical, scientific and public health communities that SEPs are an essential part of preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases without encouraging drug use. Seven government studies completed by agencies that include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Academy of Sciences and Government Accountability Office have concluded that SEPs are effective. Three former U.S. Surgeon Generals, the American Medical Association and the American Public Health Association support SEPs.
SEP's give injection drug users an opportunity to speak with people who can offer additional resources: referrals to treatment, counseling, food, shelter, and medial help that can help people find the stability necessary to address their drug use.
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
199
Backers
$14,114
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on November 9, 2011.
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Become a Street Team Partner. Spread the word about the film and get a Street Team credit on our website. Please contact us so that we can build screenings and campaigns addressing what your community needs. And help us spread the word about this film and this campaign via Twitter, Facebook, email, and word of mouth.
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Your name or a link to your organization on our website Donor page.
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Digital Download of the “In Exchange for a Life” soundtrack featuring the music of Itchy-O.
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A digital download of “In Exchange For a Life” plus everything above.
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A DVD of "In Exchange For a Life" plus everything above.
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Everything above plus a digital download of a keynote speech by Dr. Gabor Mate, author of “In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts,” shot at a fundraiser for the documentary.
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An “In Exchange for a Life” T-shirt and everything above.
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A license to do a community screening of the documentary and everything above.
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A 30 minute Skype QandA with one of the film’s directors at your community screening plus everything above.
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A Special Thank You credit at the end of the film plus the above.
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A 30 minute one-on-one skype or phone conversation with one of the film's directors plus everything above.
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An invitation to the Director's house for dinner and a screening plus all the above. (Travel and lodging expenses not included.)
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The Itchy-O Marching band will play a party in your honor. Their standard rate is $3000 a night and when you support this film you can get this for a mere $1000. (Within 30 miles of Denver)
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An invitation to have dinner with the Directors before the World Premier of the film, plus two tickets to the world premier, plus all of the above. (Travel and Lodging expenses not included)
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An Associate Producer credit on the film plus all the above.
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Executive Producer credit on the film plus all of the above.
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A screening with directors making an in-person appearance in your town plus all of the above. (U.S. Only)
Project By
Connected as Kyle Harris (1286 friends)
Since Kyle was 12, he's written songs about painful, sad and awkward things. Summer of 2010 he stumbled into playing those songs publicly and formed Bearsnail in Winter 2011. Bassist and singer Riley Cockrell joined the act in the Spring and the two have been playing house shows, benefits, bars, coffee shops and their friends living rooms since.
