Rhana Hashemi is a nationally recognized drug educator based in the Bay Area, distinguished for her expertise in youth overdose prevention and harm reduction. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Social Psychology at Stanford, Rhana holds an M.S. in Community Health Prevention Research from Stanford School of Medicine and a B.A. in Social Welfare with honors from UC Berkeley.
With a deep understanding of the historical, cultural, and recreational significance of mind-altering drugs, Rhana acknowledges both their benefits and associated risks. Her approach to teen drug education goes beyond traditional methods that focus solely on negative consequences and abstinence. Instead, Rhana believes in facilitating unbiased conversations and providing harm reduction information, empowering teenagers to make informed choices and reduce potential harm if they choose to use drugs. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of fostering a supportive environment where young individuals can seek guidance from trusted adults without fear of shame or punishment.
In her commitment to improving drug education, Rhana founded Know Drugs, the nation’s first harm reduction teen drug education organization. Know Drugs played a vital role in developing the nation’s first harm reduction drug education curriculum, which is now available for free through Stanford’s Reach lab.
Rhana has received recognition in news outlets such as the NY Times, TIMES Magazine, and NBC’s Today Show. Moreover, she has been honored by Students for Sensible Drug Policy, recognized as one of their ’40 under 40′ outstanding BIPOC leaders in Drug Policy.
Through Know Drugs, Rhana strives to combat the silence that stigmatizes teens, promote responsible drug use, prevent teen overdoses, and foster informed discussions by providing accessible education.
