The distribution of smoking supplies has emerged as a promising harm reduction strategy to engage people who use drugs, reduce overdoses, and prevent infectious diseases. In March 2023, NACCHO conducted a survey to better understand the implementation of smoking supplies, including the impact and benefits, factors that support this work, and barriers that undermine it. On July 31st, NACCHO shared the results of the survey and two organizations, The Phoenix Center and Public Health Madison Dane County, shared their experience with implementing smoking supplies. On this page you can find links to the webinar slides and recording here as well as a list of frequently asked questions and their answers.
Type: Training/Webinar
NACCHO presentation – Smoking Supplies: The Local Public Health Perspective on an Emerging Harm Reduction Strategy
R Street blog – Why Harm Reductionists Distribute Safer (Drug) Smoking Supplies
Evidence suggests that many people who use drugs want better access to safer smoking supplies and that many harm reductionists believe they are an important resource to offer their participants. This article takes a closer look at why that is.
ADAI presentation – More Than Just Pipes: Lessons from the Field About Safer Smoking Supplies
Speakers from the People’s Harm Reduction Alliance and the Dave Purchase Project discuss the public health benefits of distributing safer smoking supplies and best practices for establishing a distribution program.
XADAI presentation – More Than Just Pipes: Lessons from the Field About Safer Smoking Supplies
NASTAD – Materials for SSPs: A Guide for Staff & Volunteers
This learning tool is designed for health department and community-based syringe services programs (SSPs) and their staff to provide an overview of materials typically available at an SSP, discuss alternative materials for safer injection when needed, and improve communication about the use and utility of safer injection supplies. The learning tool consists of a Training Module Webinar, a Presenter’s Guide, and PowerPoint slide deck that syringe services programs and health departments can customize for their in-house staff trainings. A double-sided informational flyer for easy distribution to staff and participants of syringe services programs will be coming soon.
Public Health Drug Checking in North Carolina – video
1.5 min video about a groundbreaking collaboration between people who use drugs and public health scientists. Filmed at the NC Survivors Union in Greensboro, and the UNC campus in Chapel Hill, come see how analytic chemistry can prevent overdose deaths.
AMERSA Podcast Series – Harm Reduction: Compassionate Care for People who use Drugs
Episode 1: Test your drugs, not your limits – the role of advanced drug checking in harm reduction
Brave YouTube Page
Several videos explaining the Brave overdose detection products, their community app, and clips from their annual Tech and Harm Reduction Symposium
XBrave YouTube Page
Q&A: SHNS Talks With SafeSpot’s Stephen Murray
SafeSpot is “the only truly government-funded overdose hotline in the U.S.,” Murray said, and fields calls not just from Massachusetts, but across the nation and Canada. As Massachusetts struggles with waves of opioid-related overdose deaths, Murray and SafeSpot are attempting to lower the death rate by providing support for people using drugs, based on the understanding that using drugs alone is the biggest risk factor for fatal overdoses.
