The Harm Reduction Action Center is Colorado's largest public health agency that works specifically with people who inject drugs (PWID).  We serve a population that has long been stigmatized and underserved. Health risks for PWID include heightened rates of HIV, HCV, overdose, soft skin tissue infections, and now COVID-19.

1. Direct service - first and foremost. Over 12,000 participants have signed up with us over the past 10 years and around 125-180 people are currently accessing us per morning being pro-active about their health. They have the opportunity to dispose properly of used syringes, access sterile syringes, meth/crack pipes, and are offered referrals/resources. There is access to Naloxone, vein care, their mail, phone to call service providers/family/court/etc, HIV/HCV/STI testing, fentanyl testing strips, supportive service providers, hygiene products, 24/7 handwashing station, food access (other providers in the neighborhood have not served food since April), and community.

In addition, we provide a robust mobile syringe access program in high drug traffic areas 3 afternoons per week serving hard to reach folks with services and resources.  Also, in a partnership with 911, we provide on-demand syringe cleanup efforts all over the City.

2. Then, community engagement. We have an active PWID advisory committee as all rules/programming/advocacy efforts is determined by participants. HRAC staff, participants, and volunteers provide regular and consistent neighborhood clean ups. (Over 100 this year, so far!) These clean-ups target the five-block radius of the HRAC location for litter removal and allow our staff and volunteers to become more familiar with the neighborhood and its residents.

Health education is important and we have created zines about meth, benzos, and woundcare for our visual learners. In Spanish, as well.  Along with infographics about COVID & PWID, how to dispose of a syringe, how to use person first language.  In a pre-pandemic world, we provided 3 health education classes for our folks to have factual health information that protects themselves and others. 

3. Advocacy/Policy. We believe the streets should influence the policies at the State Capitol and Denver City Council. We have passed 7 pieces of statewide legislation in the past 10 years (4 to reduce the harms associated with overdose and 3 for syringe decriminalization) and led 3 Denver City policy changes.  We continue to push forward with advocacy/policy implementation efforts (via zoom, conversations, email, surveys, nagging, etc). 

4. And finally, technical assistance for providers working within bureaucratic institutions that our participants intersect with daily. These institutions include, but are not limited to; law enforcement, criminal justice, healthcare providers, neighborhood associations, and nursing/medical/pharmacy students tour to see what we are (and aren't), learn more about our programming/services, and the ability to ask questions. In addition, we provide presentations to these bureaucratic institutions and the larger community to chat about harm reduction and working with PWID for a healthier and safer today.

Oh, and meetings, grant writing, and administrative work.

All of this with 7 staff, over 600 volunteers, and 2-4 interns at any given time.