The Monroe County Health Department´s Harm Reduction program acts as an umbrella for services that support the health and well being of people who use drugs (PWUD) in the community. It aims to support community members using substances by providing tools and guidance to make ANY positive changes towards whatever recovery means to that person, which may include but is not limited to abstinence.
The focus of harm reduction services provided centers around acknowledging that substance use is a reality in Monroe County, and seeking to develop strategies to reduce associated harms for community members.
The Harm Reduction program in Monroe County provides a number of services aimed specifically at helping reduce disease transmission and other harms in the community related to substance use such as:
- HIV rapid antibody testing
- Hepatitis C (HCV) rapid antibody testing
- Referrals to HIV/HCV care coordination and treatment
- Referrals to PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) navigation
- Harm reduction/disease prevention supplies (including fentanyl/xylazine testing strips)
- Overdose Reversal Training
- Naloxone distribution
- Referrals to substance use and mental health treatment providers
- Referrals to healthcare and social service providers
- Monroe County Syringe Service Program (in partnership with Indiana Recovery Alliance)
- Information and materials about safe sharps cleanup/disposal
"Harm Reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use. Harm reduction incorporates a spectrum of strategies from safer use, to managed use, to abstinence to meet drug users ‘where they’re at,’ addressing conditions of use along with the use itself."
- The Harm Reduction Coalition
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