Harm reduction is a set of practices that aim to reduce the impacts and harms of substance use. Utilizing these practices helps to make substance use safer and less harmful to the person using and the community around them. Harm reduction reduces the risk of infections and bloodborne diseases and reduces the need to access emergency services. It also prevents certain healthcare costs.

Harm reduction practices do not condone or promote drug use, but rather acknowledge that drug use is happening and aim to keep people alive until they are ready to engage in treatment. Harm reduction involves “meeting the person where they are at” without stigma or shame.

Harm reduction practices 

  • Needle exchanges
  • Take-home naloxone programs (THN)
  • Drug testing and bad batch alerts
  • Drug safety information and training
  • Supervised consumption services (SCS) and overdose prevention services (OPS)

NARCAN/Naloxone

Narcan (the brand name for naloxone) is now available to purchase over the counter at locations such as drug stores, grocery stores, gas stations, and online. The cost of over-the-counter Narcan/naloxone is approximately $45 per box, which contains two doses. If individuals have a prescription and insurance, the cost would be less. Narcan spray was designed to rapidly reverse the effects of a life-threatening opioid emergency. It is used to revive someone during an opiate overdose and is now available as an over-the counter (OTC) treatment.

Narcan/naloxone works by blocking the effects of opiates on the brain and by restoring breathing. However, this is temporary. Depending on the amount of opiates in their system, the individual can slip back into an overdose. For that reason, it is important to monitor breathing, as well. Naloxone will only work against opiates. Naloxone has no adverse effects for someone who does not have opioids in their system. If you suspect the person you’re with may be experiencing an overdose, Good Samaritan laws protect the act of administering Narcan in good faith. Individuals consuming opiates mixed with other substances who do not respond to Narcan will take longer to respond. It is always important to call 911 for any suspected overdose.

Naloxone kits are now available at no cost to residents of Massachusetts by mail. This resource is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and operated through You Can.

Massachusetts residents can access the You Can website, watch a quick instructional video on overdose response and naloxone administration, and receive a free kit of Narcan shipped to their house. No personal information is required other than an address for shipping purposes. Each kit includes two doses of Narcan as well as other resources, such as an instructional wallet card, SafeSpot information, and more.

 Individuals can also request Narcan/naloxone for free from Essex County Outreach using the following link: https://essexcountyoutreach.com/contact-us/.

For more information about Narcan/naloxone, please reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): www.samhsa.gov/naloxone

SUPERVISED CONSUMPTION

Consider calling a friend or a loved one who will remain on the line while you are using. If you stop responding, the person on the other line can hang up and call emergency medical services to your location. 

The Massachusetts NEVER USE ALONE program 800-972-0590 is a 24-hour confidential line to call. Callers provide their location to the operator, and the operator can provide 911 with the caller’s location should he/she stop responding. An individual has a 99% chance of surviving an overdose when someone is on hand to call emergency medical services. 

Additionally, you can download the Brave App for Apple and Android phones. Identities are anonymous. Users do not need to share any private information. An emergency plan is established, so if the user stops responding after a 20-second countdown alert, help will be sent according to the user’s Brave plan.

See also: www.massoverdosehelpline.org

If the person who is with you is also using, make sure you take turns and have Narcan on hand so you can help each other if the other person overdoses. With fentanyl, overdoses occur so quickly that if two people are together and use at the same time, they can overdose at the same time. This can be avoided if designate a “spotter” and delay time between each of you using (at least ten minutes).

HARM REDUCTION SERVICE PROVIDERS


Healthy Streets Outreach Program | 100 Willow Street Lynn, MA | 339-440-5633

Free HIV/STI/Hep C testing, syringe exchange, Narcan services, assistance with enrolling in health insurance 

ONESTOP | 9 Center Street Gloucester, MA | 978-381-3170

Free HIV/STI/Hep C testing, syringe access/disposal, referrals for medical care, free Narcan and training, free fentanyl and xylazine testing strips, free supplies for unhoused individuals, help with insurance enrollment

www.harmreductioncoalition.org

SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS

Syringe Access Programs (SAPs) are community-based programs that help provide individuals with access to sterile needles at no cost. The syringe access programs also offer proper disposal of used syringes to help minimize the spread of bloodborne diseases. Often, syringe access programs also offer Narcan, Narcan training, overdose prevention education, information on harm reduction practices, and referrals to treatment and counseling for STDs and other viruses.

Healthy Streets | 100 Willow St. 2nd floor, Lynn, MA | 339- 440-5633
https://www.healthinnovationsinc.com/lynn

ONESTOP | 302 Washington Street, Gloucester, MA | 978-865-3924
https://healthproject.org/one-stop.html#/

Lynn Community Health Center | 269 Union Street, Lynn, MA 01901 | 781-656-4646
https://www.lchcnet.org/locations/

Greater Lawrence Family Health Center | 100 Water Street, Lawrence, MA | 978-685-7663
https://glfhc.org/

It is important to get tested for hepatitis B and C regularly since bloodborne diseases can be spread through needle-sharing and show no signs for the first six months. Thankfully, early detection and treatment can prevent the disease from progressing. The earlier you start treatment, the greater your chance is to prevent liver damage, liver cancer, liver failure, or kidney disease.

Risk-reduction materials aid in mitigating the negative effects of substance use and other high-risk behaviors that may be associated with substance use. Some examples of risk-reduction materials are condoms, wound kits, one-shot kits, and pipe holders. These materials not only aim to reduce the spread of infections and viruses as a result of substance use but also aim to keep people safe while using substances.

If you are not ready to go into treatment, remember these practices, as they will help keep you and your community safer and lessen your chances of a fatal overdose. It’s also important to remember that there is no one pathway to treatment. Treatment and the path to sustained recovery are different for everyone.

FENTANYL TEST STRIPS

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is roughly 50 times more potent than heroin. It is commonly found mixed in other substances due to its low cost to manufacture and it is a strong effecting cutting agent.  The rise in overdose deaths can largely be attributed to the presence of fentanyl whether suspected or not. 

Substances in liquid, powder, or pill form can be mixed with a small amount of water, soaked in this strip, and within minutes you can tell if your supply contains fentanyl.

Here is more information on how to use these strips: https://trystereo.org/fentanyl-test-strips-how-to

Essex County Outreach has access to Rapid Response single-use drug test strips, giving the option to test the substance in private settings. 

If you need strips, please reach out to us: https://essexcountyoutreach.com/contact-us/.