Harm Reduction Workshop

What is Harm Reduction and Why Does It Work?
We are in the midst of a nationwide opioid crisis. In 2016, 42,249 lives were lost in the United States. This is five times higher than the number of deaths in 1999, and by comparison, opioids killed more people in 2016 than were killed in car accidents, by guns or from breast cancer. In Washington State alone, opiates were involved in 1,102 deaths in 2016. These numbers don’t include the countless overdose reversals occurring daily by friends, family members, first responders, police officers, librarians, teachers, social service workers and more. Harm Reduction addresses this crisis head on, and has for decades.
What is Harm Reduction?
An internationally recognized best practice rooted in principles created by and for drug users to reduce the harm associated with drug use when abstinence is not feasible or not desired, harm reduction extends into all facets of life, including mental health, hygiene, diet, sex, medication management, transportation etc. It is a lifesaving, cost effective strategy in supporting people experiencing complex challenges associated with homelessness, substance use, mental health issues, physical disability and trauma.

Join us to explore what harm reduction is, what it isn’t, how we act it out day to day and why we integrate it into services for those experiencing homelessness.