A clean-injection kit and syringe; these kits and clean syringes help prevent overdoses and the transmission of HIV and hepatitis C.
What is harm reduction?
Harm reduction is a treatment approach that Housing Works uses to encourage our clients to reduce the harm that they may do to themselves or others through substance use and/or unsafe sexual practices. Harm Reduction focuses on practical tools—for example, the constant and regular use of new syringes and male and/or female condoms—as well as emotional ones: We empower our clients to understand the full impact of their actions on their loved ones and their community.
An example of a Housing Works’ harm reduction program is our one-on-one and group sessions that teach safer injection practices—something as simple as using a new syringe can prevent transmission of HIV, Hepatitis C and reduce tissue damage. We also have a range of support groups and workshops, such as “Survival Skills,” which looks at safer sex practices, and “New Methods,” which delves into opioid treatment alternatives.
Harm reduction—in contrast to treatment approaches that demand dramatic and unrealistic behavioral shifts—gives our clients the knowledge they need to face the often daunting challenges of living with HIV.
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The Harm Reduction Place
- The Harm Reduction Place
- 212-966-0466 x1173
Syringe exchange
The Syringe Exchange Program is one of the first services that many Housing Works clients take advantage of. Our syringe exchange services are offered at four sites: three are at the Adult Day Health Center programs and one at the Harm Reduction Place.
We are always striving to serve the harder-to-reach populations; recently we have had success engaging hormone users. During Fiscal Year 2007-2008, we distributed 8,500 syringes and collected over 7,000 helping to safely dispose of used syringes.
Healthy lifestyles
In 2008, Housing Works made big strides in reinvigorating the Harm Reduction Place’s Healthy Lifestyles program. Healthy Lifestyles is a six-week life skills class, with sessions on coping and communication, self-esteem, budgeting, hygiene, HIV health, acupuncture, meditation, nutrition and cooking.
Overdose prevention
Housing Works is a pioneer in the use of the opioid-addiction treatment buprenorphine, which, for some people, is an effective alternative to methadone.
