PreventionWorks!

Harm Reduction in the Nation's Capital

PreventionWorks! GUSOM Team

Site: PreventionWorks!

Project: Addressing Harm Reduction Issues in the Nation’s Capital

GUSOM Students: Daniel Vitantonio, Mudit Kaushal, Helena Kuhn, Billy Richter, Brent Yeung, Sarah Sidhu, Gabe Gaviola

Faculty Team Leader: Mary Beth Levin

Community Partners: PreventionWorks!

Background Information

What is Harm Reduction? Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies that

reduce negative consequences of drug use and other activities

The extent of a person’s drug use is of secondary importance to the harms resulting from them

HIV/AIDS in DC Approximately 1 out of 20 adults in DC is living with

HIV/AIDS Thirty percent of new AIDS cases in the District can

be traced to reused needle

PreventionWorks!

Project Overview

Promoting harm reduction Safe Sex Kits (Condoms, Lubricant) Wound Care Kits Needle Exchange HIV Testing Treatment Referrals (Detox, Mental Health, Wound

Care) Food and Water

A Typical Day on the Mobile Unit

PW Mobile Unit

Neighborhood: NE Washington, DC

Division Street and Nanny Hills Burroughs, NE

9th and H Street, NE

North Capitol and Hanover Street, NW

Community Audience

Neighborhood: Northeast DC

Injection Drug Users (IDU) Majority African American Few Latinos and Caucasians Ages 18 – 68

Average Contacts/day: 30 people

Reflections

Does needle exchange promote and/or facilitate drug use?

Does needle exchange help people access treatment?

The Mobile Unit as a Medical Home

Recommendations

Scheduling

Staffing and Organization

Supplies

Don’t give up the fight!