Oakland County Harm Reduction Program

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

The nation is currently experiencing an opioid crisis. In 2021 the State of Michigan experienced 3,096 opioid related deaths. In addition, new Hepatitis C cases have steadily increased in the past decade for those aged 18-39. 85-90% of this population has self-reported intravenous drug use. Injecting drugs can lead to other serious health problems such as HIV, skin infections, abscesses, and endocarditis. In the fall of 2020, the State of Michigan approached Oakland County Health Division to launch the first Harm Reduction program in Oakland County. Harm Reduction is a strategy that engages people who use drugs to prevent overdoses and infectious disease transmission, improve the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of those served, and to increase access to substance use treatment and other health care services. The Oakland County Health Division, Harm Reduction (HR) program has successfully enrolled over 400 clients in services. In 2022, approximately 25% of enrolled clients were referred to and engaged in treatment services. Over 2000 doses of Narcan were distributed free of charge to clients. In addition, clients reported 274 rescues, or lives saved, from giving Narcan to a person who was overdosing.