What Is Harm Reduction?
Harm reduction is a way to “meet people where they’re at,” without requiring you to meet certain conditions in order to maintain your health. It’s safety, your way.
Harm reduction approaches to substance use are not strictly abstinence-oriented. Rather, they encourage individuals to examine the connections between their substance use or sexual health and their health and well-being, and to take steps toward any positive change.
Our programs and services are based in harm reduction. Everyone is welcome, no matter what place they’re in, no matter how challenging their life is, no matter how sick they are. It’s a client-centered, person-centered approach.
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.
Prevent Overdose Fatalities
Opioid overdoses are the leading cause of death in the United States. But you can change that stark statistic with the right training and supplies,. In collaboration with the D.O.P.E. Project, we offer overdose prevention and response training and supplies like fentanyl test strips and Narcan.
Harm Reduction Center Drop-In Group
People who inject or use substances are invited to our harm reduction drop-in group at the Harm Reduction Center. We have snacks, coffee and conversation about reducing the harms that drugs can cause. No judgement, only harm reduction information and caring support for people who use drugs. While you’re there, pick up safer injection and smoking supplies, disposal equipment, overdose prevention and reversal supplies and more.
Our Programs
The Stonewall Project
Counseling for gay, bisexual, queer & trans men interested in changing their relationship to drugs & alcohol.
Syringe Access Services
Safer injection and substance use supplies that prevent the transmission of HIV and HCV.
Harm Reduction Center Groups
Snacks, coffee and substance use drop-in support.
More on Harm Reduction
Tweaker.org
What started as an awareness campaign about meth and sexual risk-taking now receives nearly 1 million visitors annually.
Cheers Queers Drinking Quiz
Take this 3-minute quiz and find out how your drinking compares to others in San Francisco.
History of Health: Needle Exchange in San Francisco
The city’s first needle exchange began in 1988 as an act of civil disobedience to improve the health and lives of people who use drugs.
Why Provide Syringes?
Providing free sterile injection equipment is proven to stop the spread of HIV, HCV and other infectious diseases.
Meth & Speed
Crystal meth affects our brains, bodies & sex lives. Get the facts to reduce the harm it can cause in your life
Safer Injection
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.
Safer Drug Use
Reduce the harm from drugs & alcohol by preparing when you use and getting the drug use resources you need.
What Is Harm Reduction?
Harm reduction means helping people reduce the negative effects of drug use, on their own terms. That’s why we say we “meet people where they are at.”