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Harm Reduction Saves Lives

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New to Harm Reduction? Here is how to learn more.

Health, Outreach, Prevention and Education (HOPE) Services is dedicated to the wellbeing of the Wichita State community. We are guided by the principles of harm reduction in our approach to addressing substance use.

Harm reduction is a set of strategies and tactics which encourage users to reduce harm done to themselves and their communities by licit and illicit drug use. 

By allowing users access to the tools to become healthier, we recognize the competency of their efforts to protect themselves, their loved ones and their communities.

Maia Szalavitz
Undoing Drugs

Harm reduction practices center the humanity of people who use drugs and empower them to make positive change. By meeting people where they are at and helping them to make positive change (as defined by the individual), we can more effectively support individuals who use substances. 

Harm Reduction Saves Lives. 

How is harm reduction relevant to me?

At HOPE Services, we emphasize the importance of creating safe communities for all individuals – including individuals who use substances. By learning about harm reduction and focusing on compassion, we can help create a better campus environment for all students, regardless of their use. 

Harm reduction principles and practices are evidence-based and are the best-practice approach to addressing substance use and substance use disorder. Promoting harm reduction helps to decrease stigma and improve access to care for everyone. 

What does harm reduction look like?

Harm reduction is a concept that can be applied in a variety of ways - using sunscreen or wearing a bike helmet are some examples from everyday life. Anything that helps to mitigate risk or harm from a potentially dangerous activity can be considered harm reduction. 

Regarding substance use, this includes practices that aim to minimize the negative health, social and legal impacts associated with drug use, drug policies and drug laws.

Some practical examples of this include:

  • Naloxone- a safe medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose.
  • Fentanyl Test Strips- easy to use kit that tests for fentanyl contamination in pills.
  • Safe Injection Sites- These are facilities are supervised by health care providers who can prepare and distribute sterile injection supplies, give emergency care in the event of an overdose, and referrals to appropriate social and addiction services to individuals injecting substances. 

How can I get involved in promoting harm reduction?

At HOPE Services, we have several ways for you to be involved in promoting harm reduction.

  1. Take our training- Guided by the principles of harm reduction, you can make a difference in our campus and community. Our Substance Use and Mental WellnessTraining will teach you: how to have healthy conversations around substance use, how to reflect on your personal ideas about substances, and how to intervene in situations where you are concerned about someone. We offer this training on campus once a month for free. For dates/times fill out the registration form below.
  2. Carry Naloxone- Naloxone is a safe medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. As a part of the WSU community, you have access to naloxone through our monthly naloxone administration training. After you complete the training you can recieve two doses of naloxone for free.  For more information about responding to an overdose vist our Overdose Prevention page.
  3. Become a Prevention Ambassador- Prevention Ambassadors are students at HOPE services that receive training and mentorship in providing prevention and outreach services. Apply today!

#WSUWeSupportU Substance Use and Mental Wellness Training Registration

(This registration form is for current WSU students only. Faculty/staff please go to myWSU and myTraining to register.)

 
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