Harm Reduction
“Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use. Harm Reduction is also a movement for social justice built on a belief in, and respect for, the rights of people who use drugs.” From the National Harm Reduction Coalition.
Learn more about harm reduction training.
Harm Reduction Initiatives
Opioid STR/SOR partners with several organizations in Missouri to expand access to overdose education and naloxone. These initiatives have targeted areas with the highest rates of drug use and are focused on getting resources into the hands of people who use drugs and their friends and family members.
Missouri Network for Opiate Reform and Recovery
The mission of Missouri Network for Opiate Reform and Recovery is to provide real solutions for those struggling with substance use disorder. As such, through Missouri’s SOR grant, they have expanded their services to the Mo’ Mobile (a retrofitted ambulance). The Mo’ Mobile travels the streets of St. Louis bringing resources, including the overdose-reversal drug naloxone, directly to active drug users. The Mo’ Mobile also provides testing for hepatitis C and HIV and connections to local treatment programs.
Confluence
Confluence HRKC is a harm reduction collective that serves people who use drugs and those who love them in the Kansas City, MO area. They have been a subcontracted partner with UMSL-MIMH for two years. Through our partnership, Confluence has been able to increase their outreach efforts by purchasing a vehicle and distributing over 2500 doses of naloxone and thousands of fentanyl test strips in their area.
Better Family Life
Better Family Life builds strong families and vibrant communities by providing hope, comprehensive services, and meaningful opportunities. Their services and programs are open to all people, regardless of their ethnicity, aptitude, or beliefs. Annually, Better Family Life serves more than 50,000 unduplicated community members. Through the Missouri SOR grant, Better Family Life promotes and distributes naloxone in four targeted neighborhoods that have been identified as high-risk of drug use and opioid overdoses.
AIDS Projects of the Ozarks
AIDS Projects of the Ozarks (APO) is a community based healthcare organization that offers medical services, HIV/STI testing/treatment and other health-related services. They are located in Springfield, MO and serve many communities in the southwest region. APO has been a subcontractor with UMSL-MIMH since 2022, and through this partnership they have been able to tap into harm reduction services and expand their outreach. Distributing nearly 4000 units of naloxone and harm reduction kits as well as about 2000 fentanyl test strips in 2023 to their community.
Urban League
Urban League of Metropolitan Saint Louis has been a pinnacle in the community since 1910 and has invested their time into serving the community. Urban League partnering with UMSL-MIMH has been able to propel the organization into the service of harm reduction. Since partnering with UMSL-MIMH Urban league has distributed over 900 units of naloxone to Saint Louis residents. In this coming year, they hope to start supplying residents with fentanyl test strips.
Street Med STL
Street Medicine St. Louis is a collective of health professionals and community members providing healthcare to unstably housed people, outside the walls of clinics and hospitals. By meeting people where they are, they hope to build a bridge to people who have been left behind by the traditional healthcare system. Their low barrier care is rooted in harm reduction and delivered in the form of street outreach, pop-up clinics, and partnerships with other community organizations.
Building Community Bridges
Building Community Bridges (BCB) is a community organization whose mission is to inspire,uplift, and aid youth development in their community of Jefferson City, MO. They have been a subcontracted partner for a year and have been able to expand their services into the harm reduction realm. Through this partnership, BCB has opened their doors to all community members that are in need of social services such as food security and medicaid help. BCB has been able to continuous supply the community with naloxone and fentanyl test strips and hope to continue to be a hub for these supplies in their community.
Additional Harm Reduction Resources
Guide to IM Naloxone
Myths & Facts About Naloxone
Safer Use Cards: Steps you can take to help protect yourself from infection and overdose.
SAMHSA Opiod Overdose Prevention Toolkit
Starting the Conversation About Naloxone
IM, Naloxone, and the 911 Good Samaritan Law
How can you get Naloxone at the Pharmacy?
Fentanyl Facts One Pager
Xylazine and Wound Care