Expanding Harm Reduction Services for Priority Populations Who Use Drugs

Updated: July 2, 2024

Initiative 

Expanding Harm Reduction Services for Priority Populations Who Use Drugs

RFA Release Date

August 14, 2023

Award Period

7/1/2024 to 6/30/2026

Total Amount for Initiative

$7,500,000 over two years

Total Annual Amount for the Initiative:

$3,750,000

Number of Awards

10 awards for a total of 13 contracts

Link to Press Release

New York State Department of Health Announces Awards From Opioid Settlement Fund to Organizations to Advance Harm Reduction Objectives to Priority Populations

Overview

Death by drug overdose remains a statewide crisis, and more resources are needed to support priority populations that are especially vulnerable to overdose and who have been historically marginalized and stigmatized by systems of care. The goal of this initiative is to expand comprehensive harm reduction services/supplies and culturally competent medical and social services for people who use drugs with a focus on priority populations who experience persistent inequities including but not limited to drug use, overdose, and other negative health outcomes. The priority populations include Black, Indigenous, Persons of Color, Criminal Legal/Justice Involved, Houseless, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex +, Older Adults, and Pregnant/Parenting People. 

Each funded agency will:

• increase harm reduction services and supplies through non-stigmatizing care
• advance health equity, and address social determinants of health that contribute to 
• perpetuating an individual’s vulnerability to repeated overdose, such as lack of stable housing, 
  poverty, stigma, and racism
• address the intersectionality of drug user health with other specialty care like sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and hepatitis C
• increase engagement of people who use drugs
• evaluate and report on activities, trends, and innovations

Agencies are expected to work collaboratively with the Syringe Exchange Programs, Drug User Health Hub, Opioid Overdose Prevention programs, and other relevant partners in their region to provide meaningful, non-coercive, client-driven services to reduce overdose and other negative outcomes of substance use. Examples of activities may include increased access to low-threshold buprenorphine, providing naloxone and training on its use, distributing fentanyl test strips and other harm reduction supplies, as well as targeted interventions for those who have previously experienced an overdose. 

Below is a table of awarded agencies, sorted by NYS Region and Priority Population to be served: