Frequently Asked Questions


What is harm reduction?

Syringe services programs use a harm reduction approach to drug use. Harm reduction focuses on using a compassionate, holistic, and trauma-informed approach to issues surrounding substance use. These programs accept that, for better or worse, licit and illicit drug use is part of our world. Rather than ignoring or condemning drug use, these programs choose to work to minimize its harmful effects. Harm reduction programs do not attempt to minimize or ignore the harm and danger that can be associated with illicit drug use. Instead, harm reduction programs ensure that people stay alive and stay safe until they are ready to stop using drugs. 

The concept of harm reduction, or reducing harm, can be seen in our everyday life. Some examples include the use of seatbelts to prevent injury or death in car accidents, the use of bike helmets to prevent brain injury from bike accidents, and the use of sunscreen to prevent sun damage that can lead to skin cancer. 

When it comes to drug use in the United States, harm reduction is not a favored approach because American culture frames people who use drugs in a negative light. These individuals are often described as not worthy of compassion and respect. However, harm reduction is more effective in preventing harm than other approaches such as coerced substance use treatment, abstinence, and the criminalization of drug use.

For more information on harm reduction, check out the NHRC website and the SAMHSA website.

Why do we need harm reduction in Orange County?

Harm reduction services, such as syringe service programs, can prevent the spread of disease in our community. In 2020, there were 265 individuals who were newly diagnosed with HIV and a total of 6,548 persons living with HIV in Orange County. Out of the 265 individuals who were newly diagnosed, 6.4% of them were injection drug users (OCHCA HIV Fact Sheet, 2020). In 2018, Orange County had the second highest number of cases of reported chronic Hepatitis C cases among people who were not incarcerated in state prisons (CDPH Chronic HCV Surveillance Report, 2018). In 2021, Santa Ana had a higher rate of new HIV cases than the overall rate of new cases in Orange County and the state of California (OCHCA HIV Fact Sheet, 2021).

HIV and Hepatitis C cases are strongly associated among people who inject drugs because these infections are spread through the use and sharing of contaminated injection drug equipment (CDC, PWID, 2018). Syringe service programs are effective in reducing HIV and HCV infections associated with injection drug use by providing individuals with sterile syringes, safer sex supplies, and increasing access to HIV and HepC testing (CDC, SSP FAQs, 2019). SSPs are associated with a 50% reduction HIV and HCV transmission (Platt, et al., 2017).

How can harm reduction services prevent overdose?

Syringe service programs play an important role in overdose prevention by training people who inject drugs how to prevent, recognize, and reverse opioid overdoses (CDC, SSP FAQs, 2019). Syringe service programs distribute naloxone to community members and organizations, which ultimately leads to a reduction in overdose-related deaths. 

Between 2013 and 2015, 66.8% of all drug- and alcohol-related deaths involved opioid substances in Orange County (OCHCA, Drug & Alcohol Morbidity and Mortality, 2017). Between 2005 and 2015, the rate of opioid-related emergency departments increased by 141% in Orange County and between 2000 and 2015, drug overdose deaths increased by 88% (Opioid Overdose and Death in Orange County, 2017). Opioid-related overdoses have become a recent concern in Orange County with the increase of fentanyl in illicit substances. The Orange County Board of Supervisors facilitated a public hearing regarding the fentanyl epidemic on March 3, 2022 and discussed ways to decrease overdose deaths. 

The Orange County Health Care Agency recommended that local officials and policymakers consider the benefits of safe needle exchange programs to address the rates of infectious diseases related to injection drug use (OCHCA, Addressing the Opioid Crisis in Orange County). The Orange County Health Care Agency also highlighted the importance of distributing naloxone and fentanyl test strips to individuals using opioids, as well as to friends and family who witness opioid overdoses. The Harm Reduction Institute distributes naloxone and offers training to individuals throughout Orange County for no cost.

Do syringe service programs increase crime?

Contrary to popular belief, research has shown that the presence of a syringe exchange program within a community does not increase crime (Marx et al., 2000; Galea et al., 2001; Lurie et al., 1993). Additionally, the presence of syringe exchange programs does not encourage children to use drugs. Findings from Marx and colleagues (2001) shows that the influence of syringe exchange programs is neutral and does not promote illicit drug use among adolescents.

How will your program increase access to treatment?

Our program partners with medical providers in order to connect our participants with access to Medication Assisted Treatment, substance use treatment, wound care, and Hepatitis C treatment. Since July 2021, we have linked over 50 people into drug treatment. We have recorded over 3,000 lives saved from our naloxone distribution that started in 2020.

Harm reduction services, like syringe service programs, help improve access to substance use treatment services (Strathdee et al., 1999; Vlahov et al., 1997; McNeil & Small, 2014). Harm reduction programs ensure that clients are treated with compassion, which can increase enrollment in services. Hagan and colleagues (2000) demonstrate that syringe exchange clients were five times more likely to enter drug treatment and three times more likely to stop using drugs when compared to individuals who do not access syringe service programs.  Syringe service programs also increase access and enrollment for HIV and HepC treatment (Vlahov & Junge, 1998; Watters, et al., 1994). These programs are uniquely positioned to facilitate care for wounds, abscesses, and other health-related harms associated with injection drug use (Sanchez et al., 2021).

Do syringe service programs increase syringe litter?

No, syringe service programs provide safe syringe disposal in their communities. Studies show that improper syringe disposal is decreased in communities with syringe service programs (Doherty, et al., 2000; Quinn, et al., 2014; Wenger, et al., 2011; Doherty, et al., 1997) and that improper syringe disposal is higher in cities without syringe service programs (Tookes, et al., 2012). Researchers found that there was a decrease of improperly discarded syringes in Miami after the implementation of their first syringe service program (Levine et al., 2019). 

How are syringe exchange programs cost effective?

There is strong evidence to support that services provided by syringe service programs are cost effective and cost saving for the community they operate in. The explanation for this is simple: The cost of providing sterile syringes and other harm reduction supplies is less than the price for HIV treatment and hospital visits. Since many people who use drugs are on public insurance, these savings transfer to taxpayers. Ruiz and colleagues (2016) estimated that a policy change that allowed the use of funds for syringe service programs in Washington DC saved the city over $44 million in averted HIV cases. Researchers who collected data from a syringe service program in Philadelphia estimated that 10,592 cases of HIV were avoided over a ten-year period because of access to clean syringes. By multiplying this number with the average cost of HIV treatment, they estimated that syringe service program services saved taxpayers 2.4 billion dollars in a ten-year period.

How does harm reduction connect with faith?

Harm reduction follows Jesus’ teachings of loving and caring for the poor, the sick, and the outcasts of society. We can see the principles of harm reduction reflected in Bible readings. In Revelation 21:4, we learn that healing is God’s ultimate goal for creation. Harm reduction advocates seek to heal others in their work by offering judgment-free services to prevent and treat blood borne diseases, as well as prevent opioid-related overdoses. In Matthew 25:34-40, we learn that how we treat “the least” is how we treat the Lord. In order to follow Jesus’ teaching in our everyday lives, we must approach all people, including strangers, with love and compassion.

We are in a crisis which fails to recognize the full humanity of our beloved who use drugs, which condemns people who carry their burdens and their joys in ways beyond our ability to understand. Harm reduction is holy, faith-full resistance, rooted in love and unapologetically insistent on justice. It is the expression of radical welcome, the welcoming of all stories and paths. To learn more, check out Faith in Harm Reduction.

How is your organization funded?

We are a grant funded organization and have partnered and received grants with the following agencies:

How can I volunteer?

We do not currently have opportunities for volunteers, but may need volunteer help in the future! Volunteers gain the experience of working with clients in a harm reduction setting which is valuable for a future career in the medical and social service fields. 

Interested in future opportunities? Contact us here.