Harm Reduction

Harm reduction activities in our region have two main purposes – to stop the spread of infectious diseases and to keep people alive so they can eventually benefit from behavioral health care. To this end, activities will include:

Naloxone Distribution

Adding naloxone distribution sites in our region to reduce overdose deaths.

Expanding Locations

Expanding needle exchange programs to more locations throughout the region to remove dirty needles from public places and reduce the transmission of infectious diseases.

Advocating Local Rights

Advocating for the passage of the syringe exchange bill, which will allow local boards of health to authorize or establish syringe exchanges in their jurisdictions.

Get Educated

Drug use is part of our world and harm reduction efforts work to minimize its harmful effects rather than simply ignore or condemn them.

Drug use is a complex, multi-faceted phenomenon that encompasses a continuum of behaviors from severe abuse to total abstinence, and acknowledges that some ways of using drugs are clearly safer than others.

Harm reduction is a non-judgmental, non-coercive provision of services and resources to people who use drugs and the communities in which they live in order to assist them in reducing harm to themselves.

Harm reduction does not attempt to minimize or ignore the real and tragic harm and danger associated with licit and illicit drug use.

Get Support

To learn more about Hamilton County's Naloxone distribution initiative, syringe exchange program, information about support, education or access to health care for intravenous drug users, please visit Hamilton County Public Health's website.

Get Involved

Supporting the addicted individual and the community.

Drug addiction is a threat to the health and safety of our entire community. Injection Drug Users (IDU) are at-risk of overdose and contracting other chronic illnesses such as Hepatitis C and HIV. The general community and first responders are at risk from infections resulting in handling discarded needles, addicted individuals driving under the influence and supporting the cost of medical care associated with the complications of addiction.