The Bureau’s Prevention and Risk Reduction Division works directly with communities to reduce and prevent the poor health outcomes associated with substance use. Prevention and Harm Reduction is divided into two programs:
| Community Prevention Services |
|
The Bureau's community prevention efforts utilize partnerships with neighborhood-level coalitions to increase knowledge and awareness of substance use, to address environmental barriers to risk reduction and treatment, and to build long-term capacity within Boston neighborhoods for addressing substance abuse.
|
| Risk Reduction and Overdose Prevention |
|
Risk Reduction and Overdose Prevention operates under the philosophy of meeting drug users “where they are at” by focusing on safer drug use, while neither condoning or condemning the use of illegal substances. The program goal is to reduce the negative health consequences associated with drug use, particularly HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, and TB. The program utilizes a range of strategies to keep users engaged in the program, such as safe injection education, needle exchange, and overdose prevention education using nasal narcan. |