SAFER USE IS HARM REDUCTION.
SAFER USE.
There is no completely risk-free way to use drugs. There are ways to reduce harm.
Harm reduction recognizes that people use drugs for many different reasons. You deserve practical, accurate information that can help you make choices about your health and safety — without judgment, shame, or pressure to stop using.
You know your life, your body, and your circumstances better than anyone else.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO STOP USING
TO START USING SAFER.
SAFER USE IS HARM REDUCTION.
SAFER DOESN'T HAVE TO MEAN PERFECT.
Harm reduction isn't all-or-nothing. Small changes can reduce risk, and what safer use looks like may be different from one person to the next.
Testing your supply. Using less. Carrying naloxone. Using new supplies. Not using alone. Changing how you use. Taking care of a wound. Eating, drinking water, or getting some sleep.
KNOW YOUR SUPPLY
Drug supplies are unpredictable. Test when you can and remember that strength and contents can vary.
KNOW YOUR BODY
Your health, medications, hydration, sleep, and other factors can change how a substance affects you.
NHRC similarly identifies drug quality, tolerance, mixing, physical health, and using alone as major factors affecting overdose risk..
WHAT FELT SAFE YESTERDAY
MAY NOT FEEL THE SAME TODAY.
SAFER SUPPLIES MATTER.
YOUR LIFE IS WORTH PROTECTING.
You don't have to use drugs a certain way, want recovery, or make choices someone else approves of to deserve accurate information, safer supplies, healthcare, and respect.
Harm reduction starts with the person in front of us—not with who we think they should become.
YOUR LIFE HAS VALUE.
RIGHT NOW. AS YOU ARE.
KNOW YOUR TOLERANCE
Tolerance can change quickly, especially after a break, hospitalization, treatment, incarceration, or simply using less than usual.
KNOW WHAT YOU'RE MIXING
Using multiple substances can make their effects harder to predict. Combining opioids with other depressants can especially increase overdose risk.
New and sterile supplies reduce exposure to blood, bacteria, and infections. What you use to consume drugs—and whether equipment is shared—can affect your health too.
USE NEW WHEN YOU CAN
New, sterile equipment is the safest option.
DON'T SHARE
Syringes aren't the only equipment that can carry risk. Pipes, straws, cookers, cottons, water, and other supplies may also come into contact with blood or bodily fluids.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY
Clean hands and skin when possible. Pay attention to wounds, irritation, burns, swelling, redness, or other changes.
ACCESS TO SAFER SUPPLIES
IS HEALTHCARE.
PLAN FOR THE UNEXPECTED.
You can do everything "right" and something can still go wrong. An unpredictable drug supply means overdose preparedness is part of safer use.
Carry naloxone.
Make sure people around you know where it is.
Avoid using alone when possible—or make a plan for someone to check on you.
If you're using with other people, consider staggering use so someone is able to respond.
NHRC specifically recommends strategies including using less, spacing doses, testing, carrying naloxone, having someone check on you when using alone, and staggering use in groups.
BE PREPARED. CARRY NALOXONE. LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER.
HARM REDUCTION STARTS WITH KEEPING PEOPLE ALIVE.
Whether you're looking for supplies, information, training, or support, we're here.