Drug use harm reduction kits offered to non-profits through federal program

BATAVIA TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WKRC) - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency has allocated roughly $30 million for a harm reduction program grant. That includes funding for needle exchange programs, the opioid reversal drug naloxone, test kits to detect fentanyl and safety supplies.

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and the Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Dr. Rahul Gupta released the following statement:

“HHS and ONDCP are focused on using our resources smartly to reduce harm and save lives. Accordingly, no federal funding will be used directly or through subsequent reimbursement of grantees to put pipes in safe smoking kits. The goal of harm reduction is to save lives. The Administration is focused on a comprehensive strategy to stop the spread of drugs and curb addiction, including prioritizing the use of proven harm reduction strategies like providing naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and clean syringes, as well as taking decisive actions to go after violent criminals who are trafficking illicit drugs like fentanyl across our borders and into our communities. We will continue working to address the addiction and overdose epidemic and ensure that our resources are used in the smartest and most efficient manner.”

You'll remember just a few years ago, the Tri-State was dealing with a hepatitis outbreak. Hepatitis is a blood-borne illness and health officials speculated it could be tied to people sharing needles.

"When people are exchanging needles that have been pre-used, not using safe, sterile needles, that's when we were seeing a lot of Hepatitis C increases," Clermont County Assistant Health Commissioner Maalinii Vijayan said.

Vijayan says once health leaders figured out the used needles were likely behind some of the spread, syringe exchanges were set up to offer clean and sterile needles.

It's part of an increasing push of harm reduction strategies. That means, to minimize risks to those using drugs as well as the surrounding community.

"We removed those contaminated [needles] from public places because they are bringing them to [the needle exchanges] and we are disposing of them in a safe manner. So, they are removed from the public places and people are not getting needle stick injuries and getting diseases through that as well," Vijayan

The program from the federal government is focused on offering kits with items like “alcohol swabs, lip balm, other materials to promote hygiene and reduce the transmission of diseases like HIV and hepatitis.

Vijayan says not only do these programs reduce the harm, but they also give advocates to talk to people using drugs about treatment options.

As part of the program, the applicants must promise at least half their focus will be on underserved neighborhoods.

The federal program does not include taxpayer funding for pipes to smoke crack cocaine or methamphetamine.

Click here to learn more about syringe exchange programs in the Tri-State.