Harm Reduction
"Harm Reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing the public health risks associated with drug use. Harm reduction calls for the non-judgemental, non-coercive provision of services and resources to people who use drugs, and the communities in which they live, in order to assist them in reducing harm. Harm reduction is not the opposite of recovery, it is just the more patient and sustainable route."
303-572-7800 or hrac.denver@gmail.com
112 E. 8th Ave. Denver, CO 80203
Mon-Fri 9a-12p
Harm Reduction Action Center of Denver offers syringe disposal, access to sterile syringes, sterile pipes, Naloxone, phones, vein care, mail services, HIV/STI testing, fentanyl test strips, hygiene products, and food.
As well as this, the center offers a mobile syringe program in high-drug traffic areas 3 afternoons a week. The center is first and foremost community-oriented, and has worked with its community to create infographics (some of which are found below) as well as informational zines, which can be accessed on HRAC's resource page.
Below are infographics from the HRAC. Click to expand them and learn more.
Fentanyl
The amount of overdose deaths in the US is climbing higher and higher and part of that is due to the fentanyl epidemic. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that can be 50x stronger than heroin. Synthetic opioids are the main reason that the amount of overdose deaths has increased 38.4% just between 2019 and 2020. (National Institute on Drug Abuse)
You should always test your drugs for fentanyl. All residents in the city and county of Denver are able to get Fentanyl test strips for free by using this form. Colorado Syringe Access Programs can also have Fentanyl test strips, and you can explore locations here.
To order them online and get them shipped to you, you can use DanceSafe or BunkPolice.
Each provider may have different directions for how to use Fentanyl test strips, but this guide from Denver Public Health summarizes the basics.
Recognizing Overdose
People who may be experiencing an overdose may become unresponsive, have breathing difficulty and/or irregularity, have very small pupils, and may appear gray, bluish, or pale.
Try to wake the person up by shouting, shaking them, and grinding your knuckles into their sternum to try to elicit a physical response.
If you are witnessing an overdose, call 911 right away. Good Samaritan Laws will protect you if you are helping someone in need!
After calling 911, administer Naloxone. Then tilt the person's head back to open the airways and administer CPR.
After doing the above, administer Naloxone once more if the person does not begin breathing. If they do start breathing, continue doing chest compressions until help arrives.
If you have to leave the person's side for any reason, even for a second, make sure to put them in the recovery position.
Top tips
Above is an image of what the recovery position should look like.
Tips to prevent overdose include:
Do not mix substances, especially depressants like alcohol and benzodiazepines.
ALWAYS test your drugs for fentanyl.
Carry Naloxone.
Do not use alone.
Go slowly.
Naloxone
Overdoses can happen anytime, anywhere. In the event of an opioid overdose, administering Naloxone will help rapidly reverse an opioid overdose.
As of summer 2023, Narcan will be available over the counter in pharmacies, retail stores, and online.
NEXT Distro is dedicated to providing mail-based harm reduction in the form of delivering Naloxone. The organization also stands for reducing health inequality and racial stratification. Cornerstones of their work include participant privacy, security, and community mobilization. If you are in need of Naloxone, visit their website (linked above) and input your state to use their Naloxone finder and/or crisis support.
If there is no way for you to access Naloxone in your community, you can request to have it mailed to you through NEXT Distro.
You can also visit Stop The Clock to find a pharmacy that provides Naloxone. (tip: Call ahead to confirm that the community center or pharmacy has it in stock.)
Resources
National Harm Reduction Coalition - more information and resources including how to find naloxone and syringes.
Access Point Colorado - Syringe Access Program is an "anonymous program offering unused sterile syringes and injection equipment and no cost for individuals who inject substances. No photo ID is required."
Access Point Colorado is part of Colorado Health Network Inc, which also offers services to those affected by HIV like a medical clinic, case management, and help with housing among many others.