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
Safer Inside coalition calls for immediate action on safe consumption sites in response to SB 57 delay
Coalition members say the delay of SB 57 -- the safe consumption site bill -- will cost lives as overdose deaths continue to rise.
Delay in safe consumption site legislation will cost lives
In the midst of an overdose crisis, legislation that would allow San Francisco to establish safe consumption sites has been delayed until January, 2022.
July Updates from Syringe Access Services
We are welcoming back volunteers at our Syringe Access and Disposal sites, beginning June 1.
Words matter: Ending stigmatizing language around drug use
Stigmatizing language around drug use sends the message that people who use drugs are lesser than; that their lives are worth less. It’s time for that to change.
June Updates from Syringe Access Services
We are welcoming back volunteers at our Syringe Access and Disposal sites, beginning June 1.
Advocating for life-saving services delivered by syringe access programs
Laura Thomas, our director of harm reduction policy, testified to the House Committee on Appropriations for federal funding to expand services offered by syringe service programs.
May Updates from Syringe Access Services
We are increasing the number of people we serve with harm reduction, overdose prevention, linkage to hepatitis C treatment, and COVID-19 testing and vaccines.
April Updates from Syringe Access Services
SAS is increasing outreach to communities who use drugs, continuing to cure people of hepatitis C, and looking for insights into who we’re serving at our mobile sites.