Rhana Hashemi, MS

Rhana Hashemi, MS is a multifaceted professional with a strong focus on drug education and harm reduction. She is currently a Ph.D. student in Social Psychology at Stanford University, specializing in teen drug education programming, content, and strategy.1 As a Member of the Board of Directors at DanceSafe, Hashemi contributes her expertise to the organization's mission.

Professional Background

Hashemi is the founder of Know Drugs, an initiative that aims to provide comprehensive drug education to teenagers.5 Her approach to drug education is innovative and tailored to the needs of young people. When invited to speak at schools, she emphasizes the importance of understanding her audience and not making assumptions about the teens she will be addressing.2

Research and Contributions

Hashemi's research interests include:

1. The impact of social media on teen drug use
2. Peer-generated drug information on digital platforms
3. The credibility gap between formal prevention education and real-world experiences

Her work has highlighted how peer-generated drug information on social media contributes to the reduced credibility of formal prevention education among teenagers.4

Recent Achievements

In 2024, Hashemi was selected to be part of the inaugural Pear Persian Founders Circle at Pear VC, a significant milestone in her career.3 She has also been involved with various organizations and initiatives in the field of harm reduction:

• Participated in Mosaic's Harm Reduction cohort, a project hosted by the Progressive Policy Institute6
• Contributed to the Safety First program, which is transitioning to Stanford University in collaboration with the Drug Policy Alliance7

Hashemi's work bridges the gap between academic research, practical education, and policy-making in the realm of drug education and harm reduction. Her multidisciplinary approach combines social psychology, education, and technology to address the complex issues surrounding drug use among young people.