Harm reduction and local resources
This blog post is intended to be a starting point for individuals who want to learn more about resources for when they are interested in seeing a change in their use of drugs. It is a two-piece series where we break down what harm reduction is and discuss different treatment options to make sure our community is informed that there is support for everyone at every step.
What is Harm Reduction?
Harm reduction is just what the name describes: a reduction in the harm one may be exposing themselves to while using drugs. Think of it like wearing a seatbelt; every time you get behind the wheel of a vehicle, or are a passenger, there is some risk of an accident. Seatbelts reduce the harm which an individual would be exposed to in the event of an accident. There are ways to reduce harm in all areas of our lives; incorporating harm reduction into drug use can save lives.
Harm reduction as a framework is expansive, it’s a collection of policies being made to support our communities, on-going practices, and programs that offer services to people who use drugs all striving for the shared goal of keeping people safe, alive, and cared for. The reality is that data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics suggests that around 46% of Americans ages 12 and up will try an illicit substance at least once in their lifetime. With the knowledge and understanding that drug use is widespread, harm reduction seeks to use compassion with its practices to meet people exactly where they are in their drug use without judgement.
Harm Reduction Practices Include:
Syringe Services Programs (Needle Exchanges)- programs that provide a range of services that prevent the spread of disease and protect communities, including access to sterile syringes.
Fentanyl and Carfentanil Test Strips- test strips will detect fentanyl and or carfentanil in your drugs to aid in the prevention of overdose and death.
Access to Naloxone (Narcan)- is a lifesaving medicine that can reverse an opioid overdose, learning how to use it and always keeping it readily available can help save a life.
Drug and Medication Lock Boxes- safe storage strategies are important; they help aid in the prevention of misuse, poisonings, and overdoses.
Treating Wounds and Having Access to First Aid- treating injection site wounds and having access to non-judgmental medical care can aid in the prevention of infection, disease, and death.
Safe Access to Human Basic Needs- addressing the barriers community members face when trying to obtain basic needs such as food, water, shelter is fundamental to cultivating safety for all.
Harm reduction understands that drug use has been and will continue to happen. Being able to face that fact and come up with strategies to reduce the risks of drug use is a key principle. When people access harm reduction services their risk for death and overdose significantly decrease, and being able to engage in supportive community programs offers exploration to a wide range of options for continued safety. This can even look like navigating strategies to refrain from drug use all together. Harm reduction is not the antithesis of treatment, when we talk about needing a variety of services in place it is important to highlight the work harm reduction does. Everyone’s journey with drug use is unique to them, having unique approaches of support is critical to meeting the needs of our community members.
Learning more about harm reduction is valuable for everyone, from knowing how to use Narcan and having it readily available to having greater compassion for the members of our community. The Center for Elder Law and Justice program Substance Use Awareness and Advocacy for Older Adults, assisting people ages 50 and older who are impacted by substance use with their civil legal needs, as well as community outreach and education want to make sure individuals know they have supportive services readily available.
Resources are listed below for accessing services and additional learning.
Erie County Department of Health- https://www3.erie.gov/health/harm-reduction-substance-use
Pride Center of WNY & Evergreen Health- https://www.evergreenhs.org/behavioral-health-services/harm-reduction-syringe-exchange/
Matters Vending Machines- https://mattersnetwork.org/supplies/
WNY Mobile Ops - https://www.wnymobileops.com/
Never Use Alone- https://neverusealone.com/
Expanded Syringe Access Program Safety https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/aids/consumers/prevention/needles_syringes/esap/esapinsert.htm#:~:text=You%20may%20also%20purchase%20syringes,Public%20Health%20Law%20is%20legal. (Information on accessing needles from your local pharmacy, public health law, and learning how to safely dispose of needles)