Colleen Kosinski: Harm reduction, stigma and community
Harm Reduction, Stigma and Community
(This is the third article in a four-part series of articles regarding recovery issues encountered by Recovery Court participants as well as other community members, in recognition of Recovery Court Month.)
Harm reduction is part of a prevention strategy. Harm reduction is an evidence-based approach that is critical to engaging people who use drugs and equipping them with tools and information that support positive changes and save lives. Harm reduction simply means offering options to help people where they are.
Stigma refers to negative attitudes, beliefs, and stereotypes people may hold towards those with substance use issues. Stigma may also drive negative attitudes and beliefs which can affect motivation to seek treatment. Unfortunately, stigma often discourages those most in need from seeking treatment for their substance use disorder.
The concept and practice of harm reduction is not new. For example, thousands of lives have been saved by seatbelt requirements. The practices of using bicycle helmets, sunblock or simply locking the doors at night have decreased injury and other harms.
Harm reduction for those misusing substances could include, medication assisted treatment, such as buprenorphine and methadone. These medications relieve withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Naloxone is an overdose reversal medication. It reverses the toxic effect of overdose. One dose of Naloxone costs approximately $43. Access to Naloxone can treat opioid overdose, preventing a hospital visit costing as much as $20,500. However, the most important impact of these medications is the saving of human life.
Syringe services programs are another type of harm reduction. These evidenced based programs provide links to substance misuse and infectious disease treatment, counseling and care. Syringe services programs have been proven to prevent overdose deaths. Also, importantly these programs reduce the impact of drug use on communities by preventing the spread of infectious diseases and protecting the public and first responders from exposure to unsafe needles and syringes. According to the CDC, people who inject drugs are 50% less likely to contract HIV when they have access to syringe services. One 10 cent syringe can prevent a person from contracting endocarditis, which can result in thousands of dollars in medical care.
Other harm reduction efforts include medication drop-offs, disposal agents, medication lockboxes, and drug testing strips. Access to these resources are important not only for drug users, but also for those family and friends who may be faced substance using a family member.
The Recovery Together ENC Center, located at 115 East North Street, Kinston, NC is a beacon of hope for those and their families who are seeking resources and support for substance misuse. The mission of the Recovery Together ENC Center is to provide a one stop shop that can connect people to needed services that exist in the community. The Recovery Together ENC Center can provide education about harm reduction and prevention, as well as distribute naloxone, Deterra medication disposal bags, lock boxes and fentanyl and xylene testing strips. This service is provided at no cost to the community. Additionally, educational materials from the Drug Enforcement Administration are available, along with referral information to community resources.
Some believe harm reduction services promote or enable drug use. However, studies show quite the opposite. These practices recognize that every person, and their families and friends, are worthy of dignity, respect, love and a chance at life. Harm reduction focuses on improving the safety and quality of life, not on stopping use. Respectful quality care without stigma prevents illness and death, brings people to treatment sooner, and provides people the care they deserve.
Harm reduction and prevention services are crucial for Recovery Court participants and their families as they travel the path to recovery.
Colleen Kosinski
Recovery Together ENC
Community Liaison
Neuse News is a locally-owned small business startup in downtown Kinston. Our goal is to provide free, hyper-local news to Lenoir, Greene and Jones counties. The kind of news our grandparents read in a format fit for today's times.
We provide this by having supportive advertisers and we encourage you to click on their ads, shop with them, and eat with them. Every bit of financial support is important to help us sustain free, hyper-local news.
Please consider supporting Neuse News with as little as $5 one-time or via a monthly option. Every little bit helps us, help you.
