Keep Yourself Safer: Harm Reduction

Harm reduction is a set of ideas and policies that can protect public health. You are probably familiar with some, like seat belt laws created to protect people in car accidents, or rules around mask-wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Harm reduction can also be used to reduce the harms that can happen with drug use. These policies and programs try to “meet people where they are at”, by helping them find safer ways to use drugs. These exist for different types of drugs, including alcohol, stimulants (like cocaine), and opioids. The idea is not necessarily to stop people from using drugs, but to provide ways for them to do so safely.

The best way to avoid an opioid overdose is by not taking opioids, but that is not always realistic. And while naloxone can save someone after an overdose, it can’t stop one from happening. Mixing drugs, a user’s tolerance level, and a drug’s quality are all things that could factor into an overdose. (For more detailed information about how to minimize risk while using drugs, click here.)

Harm reduction around substance use tries to:

  • Prevent people from overdosing
  • Connect someone to treatment if they are ready
  • Stop people from passing certain diseases to others through needle drug use

In New Orleans, resources to reduce the harm caused by substances include:

Promoting the use of naloxone

Naloxone, also known by the brand name NARCAN®, is a medicine that can quickly reverse an opioid overdose and can be given by anyone. Even if you’re not sure that someone is overdosing, naloxone won’t harm a person who isn’t overdosing, so you should still use it. Find more information about finding and administering naloxone here.

Supporting local syringe service programs (SSPs)

People who use injection drugs can lower their risk of getting and passing on diseases like HIV and Hepatitis C by using a clean, sterile needle and syringe for every injection.

Syringe services programs (SSPs) are community-based programs that provide access to clean, unused needles and syringes free of cost. Some also allow you to drop off used needles and syringes with no questions asked.

These programs are legal in New Orleans and pharmacies can legally sell syringes to people without a prescription.

Find a list of local syringe service programs and places to dispose of used needles here.

Disposal of leftover medications

Many people have leftover pills when they get a prescription for pain medicine. It is important to get rid of these pills so that other people in your home don’t find them and accidentally misuse, overdose or become addicted to them. When you’re ready to dispose of unused opioid prescription pills, do it safely. Avoid tossing them in your trashcan or flushing them down the toilet. Find more information about properly disposing of medications, including prescription dropbox locations, here.