Harm Reduction Tools
What is harm reduction and why is it important? Harm reduction affirms that people who are in active use deserve respect and dignity. Harm reduction is a set of strategies and tools aimed at minimizing the negative effects of substance use disorder. Harm reduction tools save lives.
Healthy Acadia strives to make harm reduction tools widely available across our communities. Upon request, we offer the following harm reduction tools free of charge to community members:
Overdose reversal nasal spray (naloxone or Narcan). Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids, including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications. Naloxone quickly reverses an overdose by temporarily blocking the effects of opioids. It can restore normal breathing within minutes in a person whose breath has slowed, or even stopped, as a result of opioid overdose.
As a nasal spray, naloxone is safe and easy to use. Click here to learn more.
Click here to request a no-cost training and two-dose supply of naloxone.
Deterra medication deactivation system pouches.
The Deterra medication deactivation system is a drug deactivation pouch which neutralizes over-the-counter medicine and prescription medicine to provide a convenent and safe alternative to other disposal mechanisms. The Deterra pouch is easy to use and once medications have been placed into the pouch, can be thrown away with your regular household trash. Click here to learn more.
Click here to request a pouch.
Fentanyl test strips.
Fentanyl test strips are small strips of paper that can detect the presence of fentanyl in any drug batch—pills, powder, or injectables. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is 50 or more times powerful than morphine, is commonly found in unregulated prescription drugs (such as those bought online through unvetted sources or on the street). It’s inexpensive to make and easily mixed or “cut” into drugs.
Many users are unaware of the composition of drug they are taking or whether it contains traces of fentanyl. The lack of knowledge can be deadly - and fentanyl is responsible for an increasing number of drug overdoses.
Click here to request test strips.
For questions or more information please contact Beth Alteri at (207) 460-2312 or Beth.Alteri@HealthyAcadia.org.