Harm Reduction
Get involved in reducing the risks of substance use and improving the lives of those living with addiction in your community.
Testing Drugs for Harmful Additives
Harm Reduction is an Imperative
Overdose deaths are at a record high nationwide. The ubiquity of fentanyl and its analogues has much to do with the rise in overdose deaths. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50-100x stronger than morphine, and its analogues which are often even more potent, have been found mixed in cocaine, heroin, MDMA/ecstasy/Molly, and pressed into pills -essentially anything purchased illicitly - often unbeknownst to both dealers and end users. This increases the risk of overdose for people who use any substance including people using for the first time. Now more than ever, harm reduction is an imperative.
Harm reduction saves lives and decreases potential harms associated with substance use. Tools and strategies that reduce harms include: naloxone and naloxone training; syringe services programs; access to test strips; overdose prevention centers; removal of stigma and barriers to treatment and to medications for treatment; Deterra medication disposal bag; anti-stigma work; increased public awareness and education; and grassroots work by peers, recovery supports, and prevention coalitions.
Life-Saving Tools
Drug test strips detect the presence of harmful additives (e.g., fentanyl and xylazine) in other substances (e.g., cocaine or heroin). These additives can be lethal even in small doses and are otherwise undetectable by sight, smell, or taste which has led to increase in the risk of overdose from the illicit drug supply.
Local Services
Opioid Overdose Prevention Programs
Local Opioid Overdose Prevention Programs or OOPPs connect New Yorkers with naloxone, naloxone training, fentanyl test strips, and safe syringe access and disposal services.
Quicklinks
Upcoming naloxone training across New York State.
Deterra Bags offer a safe and convenient way to dispose of unused medications...
The presence of fentanyl has increased the risk of overdose for users of any...
Prescription painkillers, heroin, and fentanyl can be dangerous and potentially...
Xylazine is a non-opioid sedative found in the unregulated drug supply with...
Clinical guidance and information on medication for addiction treatment.
FDA-approved medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder.
FDA-approved medications for the treatment of alcohol use disorder.
FDA-approved medications for the treatment of tobacco use disorder or nicotine...
Free online learning for credentialing credit Provider & Workforce Training
Get Involved
Grassroots Community Impact
Our partners at Friends of Recovery New York organize and lead a network of Recovery Community Organizations (RCOs). Coalitions are grassroots organizations that promote addiction prevention in local communities.