Today in North Carolina, you are more likely to die of an overdose than a car crash. In light of this sobering statistic, we want everyone in Buncombe County to hear that safer choices are available. Safety is the point!
What is Harm Reduction?
Harm reduction is an evidence-based approach to reducing the harms, such as infectious disease and overdose, that can come with injection drug use. It focuses on quality of life vs. an abstinence only approach, which has a low success rate for opioid use. Harm reduction emphasizes the principles of non-judgment, non-coercion, safety, and empowerment in providing services to people who use drugs. These services are often the first place an individual feels empowered to take steps towards wellness, after months or years of disconnection from medical services.