Stephen Murray is a recognized overdose researcher, Associate Director of Overdose Prevention at Boston Medical Center, and Director of the SafeSpot Overdose Hotline. He is a sought-after speaker and advisor on overdose prevention, harm reduction, and drug policy and serves as an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Community Health Sciences at Boston University School of Public Health. In 2021, he retired as a Lieutenant from a regional ambulance service in Western Massachusetts, where he had served as a first responder for over eight years. He held various roles including Firefighter/EMT in Lenox, EMT Supervisor in Pittsfield, and eventually became a paramedic working in Northern Berkshire County. He trains emergency medical service providers across the country using a curriculum he developed titled Caring For People Who Use Drugs. He has guest lectured for university classrooms around the country including at Harvard University, Johns Hopkins, Yale University, Brown University, Northeastern University, University of Southern California, UC San Diego Medical School, and many others.

His story reached a wide audience when he was featured in the Writers Guild Award-winning episode 809 of This American Life,  ‘The Call’, in September 2023. Millions of people listened to this episode, and it was selected for a rerun in November 2024. Stephen was also featured in the 2025 Ad Council / National Council for Mental Wellbeing campaign, “Start With Hope.” In November 2025, Stephen wrote an op-ed that was published in the Los Angeles Times.

Murray’s expertise is frequently cited by leading national media outlets, including The New York Times, Associated Press, and The Boston Globe. The Washington Post also featured the story from This American Life as a comic book illustration. His contributions to the field are also documented in several academic journals, including the International Journal of Drug Policy, Substance Use & Addiction Journal, Prehospital Emergency Care, Drug and Alcohol Dependence, Journal of Addiction Medicine,  American Journal of Public Health, and Health Promotion Practice. Additionally, he has provided expert technical assistance to government agencies and non-profit organizations like the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency (SAMHSA), the National Academies of Medicine, and the National Governors Association.

Stephen lives in Plymouth, Massachusetts, with his wife Airaceli, their four kids, three cats and a pet pig. His favorite job, besides dad, is beach.