Michael Abrams, J.D., is a senior attorney with the Harm Reduction Legal Project. Previously, Michael worked in civil rights and appellate litigation in Baltimore with Brown, Goldstein & Levy LLP on behalf of the wrongfully convicted and people with disabilities. Michael also served as the Murnaghan Appellate Advocacy Fellow at the Public Justice Center, where he presented oral argument and filed principal briefs, amicus briefs, and cert petitions in state and federal courts to enforce civil rights and advance racial equity at the appellate level. Michael was a judicial law clerk to Judge Roger L. Gregory of the Fourth Circuit and Judge Kathleen Cardone of the Western District of Texas after graduating from the University of Michigan Law School with honors.

Articles & Resources

Overdose Mortality Is Trending Down, but the Story is Different for Elder Black Men

Law & Policy InsightsSubstance Use Prevention and Harm ReductionMechanisms for Advancing Health EquityHarm Reduction Legal Project

February 19, 2025
by Michael Abrams

Preliminary data indicates that overdose mortality declined significantly in 2024, with one exception, elder Black men. One 2022 study found that deaths among Black men aged 19-30 years are expected to decline by 9 percent in 2025 relative to 2020, while deaths among Black men aged 31-47 years are expected to rise by 11 percent.

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Legality of Syringe Services Programs in Maryland

Fact SheetHarm Reduction Legal ProjectHarm Reduction Legal Project ResourcesOpioid Misuse and Overdose Prevention

November 22, 2024
by Corey Davis and Michael Abrams

Infections among people who use drugs related to lack of access to new syringes and subsequent syringe sharing among people who inject drugs have increased dramatically. Increasing access to sterile syringes through syringe services programs (SSPs) is an extremely effective strategy for reducing the spread of bloodborne disease among people who use drugs, their partners, and their families. This factsheet discusses the legality of SSPs in Maryland.

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