Drugs & Alcohol
Drugs and alcohol have a steady presence in our society and culture. In addition to having wide-ranging effects on individual behavior, social interactions and our communities as a whole–the assumptions and perceptions that accompany different drugs vary widely as well.
How we understand the roles that drugs and alcohol play in our society, and their effects on individuals, influences how we manage their use and mitigate the damage that they can cause to our ability to function in the world, to our relationships, and to ourselves.
THE PHILOSOPHY OF HARM REDUCTION
Harm reduction is a guiding set of strategies that can be applied to drug and alcohol use. Central to the idea of harm reduction is that, for better or worse, drugs and alcohol play a role in our world, culture and society. Instead of ignoring drug use or attempting to keep people from using drugs and alcohol, harm reduction strategies are offered without judgement to reduce the negative consequences associated with drugs and alcohol.
Harm reduction strategies can include reducing use, managing use, substituting one drug for another, complete abstinence, and more.
PEOPLE FIRST
People who use drugs and alcohol are people first, and they deserve respect and dignity no matter what substances they use, how they use them, or for how long. We help people who use drugs to pick evidence-based strategies to reduce the harm that drugs and alcohol can cause.
Syringe Access & Safer Drug Use
We provide safer drug use supplies to people who inject or use other substances in order to prevent the transmission of HIV, hepatitis C and other infectious diseases.
Drug & Alcohol Counseling
We provide non-judgmental, harm reduction-based drug and alcohol counseling and drop-in services for people interested in addressing their substance use. Treatment is a partnership, individually tailored to address each participant’s goals and needs wherever they are in their experience with alcohol and drugs.
Related Reading
Harm reduction is love
Charles Hawthorne breaks down how the racist war on drugs stands in the way of health and humanity for drug users, and shares his perspective on reaching people with kindness, empathy and love.
In SF, game-changing programs aim to cure all of hepatitis C
New programs in San Francisco are addressing the “silent epidemic” that affects more than 12,000 community members. HCV cure is possible, but many people don’t know it’s an option.
Cheers, Queers! Get a better buzz in the New Year
Cheers Queers can help you explore the way you drink alcohol, and make changes if desired.
Harm Reduction at the Heart of SF’s Meth Task Force Recommendations
Recently-released recommendations emphasize the need for compassionate, easy-to-access services for people who use meth in San Francisco.
Federal judge: Supervised injection sites do not violate federal law
SAN FRANCISCO, October 2, 2019 — US District Judge Gerald A McHugh ruled just hours ago...
Talking party & play with queer and trans people of color
Here’s what we learned at a panel discussion about drugs, sex & harm reduction.
Committed to ending drug overdose
With drug overdoses on the rise, Ryan Dalporto explains where people who use drugs can get the harm reduction resources they need to maintain health and safety.
Changing policies to help people who use substances
Harm reduction activist Laura Thomas joins SFAF and plans to get you involved to advance policies to improve the health of people who use drugs.