Communities around the world have struggled with finding the best approach to preventing and treating substance use. Chatham County is no different. Stopping drug use is often easier said than done, and recovery can be a difficult process for a person who uses drugs. Reducing the harm that substance use poses can be an important way to reduce the risk of overdose, disease, and death on someone’s journey toward recovery. Prevention is an important piece of the puzzle and can over time help reduce rates of substance use.

This webpage contains information and resources on a number of important topics related to harm reduction.

What is harm reduction?

The National Harm Reduction Coalition defines harm reduction as "a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use." Harm reduction is critical to keeping people who use drugs alive and as healthy as possible. And it works!

• The distribution of take-home doses of naloxone, along with education and training, for those actively using opioids and their peers and family members have the potential to help decrease opioid overdose related deaths. Research demonstrates that naloxone does not increase the prevalence or frequency of opioid use.
• Studies have clearly shown that syringe services programs are effective in reducing HIV and HCV transmission and do not increase rates of community drug use.

The NHRC has a great explainer on the Principles of Harm Reduction and produced the video below to showcase what harm reduction means to ordinary people like you and me.

The US is facing an overdose and substance abuse crisis. The rise of fentanyl (a very dangerous opiate) has made matters worse. In the face of these challenges, it's become clear that strategies beyond just encouraging abstaining from drug use are needed. Harm reduction is shown to be an effective way to:

• Reduce the spread of disease, including the cost of treatment
• Provide a pathway to treatment
• Protect first responders and community members
• And most importantly, save lives!

  

What does harm reduction look like?

Harm reduction can take many forms, like safe consumption spaces and fentanyl test strips. Two major ones, however, are available in and around Chatham County for people who are looking for ways to reduce their risk of overdose and infections related to drug use.

Narcan/Naloxone

Naloxone is a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose. Naloxone can quickly restore normal breathing to a person if their breathing has slowed or stopped because of an opioid overdose. Naloxone should be given to any person who shows signs of an opioid overdose or when an overdose is suspected. Naloxone can be given as a nasal spray or it can be injected into the muscle, under the skin, or into the veins.

Families with loved ones who struggle with opioid addiction should have naloxone nearby; ask their family member to carry it; and let friends know where it is. People should still call 911 immediately in the event of an overdose.

Naloxone is currently being rolled out as an over-the-counter medication in the United States. However, the Chatham County Public Health Department has doses available at no cost at both of its locations. You can find the addresses in the box at the bottom of this page.

Syringe Exchange Programs

Syringe service programs (SSPs) distribute sterile syringes, safer drug use supplies, and education to people who inject drugs. These programs are proven to reduce HIV and HCV infection rates by about 50%.

Syringe exchange programs became legal in North Carolina in July 2016 by vote of the NC legislature with the explicit purpose of reducing the spread of bloodborne diseases, reducing the number of drug overdoses in the state, and protecting law enforcement from needle stick injuries. Participants in these programs will not be charged with or prosecuted for possession of syringes, needles, or other supplies obtained from these programs. 

Find Naloxone near you

The pharmacies below confirmed to CCPHD that they carry Naloxone/Narcan or can receive it within one day. If you need to obtain naloxone, please call the pharmacy before you visit to confirm it is available. List updated September 11, 2023.

*If you are a pharmacy owner, carry naloxone/Narcan, and would like to be added to this list, please contact Kyle Chambers at kyle.chambers@chathamcountync.gov.

Find syringe exchange programs near you

The links below can help you find a syringe exchange program near you.

• Syringe Services Programs in North Carolina (NCDHHS)
• Syringe Service Program Locator (NC Harm Reduction Coalition)