Harm Reduction
Name 3 drug-related harm reduction techniques.
naloxone, fentanyl test strips, syringe exchange/service programs, safe use sites/apps
What is methadone and how does it work?
A medication assisted treatment (MOUD) for an addiction to opioids. Methadone is a opioid-receptor agonist, Although it occupies and activates these opioid receptors, it does so more slowly than other opioids. In an opioid-dependent person, treatment doses lessens the symptoms of withdrawal without producing effects of euphoria.
What does a fentanyl test strip do?
It indicates the presence of fentanyl. If a drug tests positive for fentanyl, the user knows to not use it to prevent overdose.
Name 2 locations on OSU’s campus where students can pick up naloxone for free.
Wilce center, Student Wellness Center, Residential Hall front desks (HUB only), OSU Medical center James Pharmacy, East Hospital
Who founded BHR?
Dennis Pales and Pranav Padmanabhan
DISCUSSION TIME
What is the stigma against substance use and how does it fuel today's present health disparities?
Name 5 symptoms of opioid overdose.
Pinpoint pupils, slowed/no breathing, blue-tinted skin, unconsciousness, unresponsiveness, cold skin, clammy skin, snoring/gurgling sounds
What were the 3 steps in administering naloxone nasal spray?
Identify overdose, Administer nasal spray, Call for medical services
What services do SOAR provide?
Text alert system, anonymous reporting, outreach services, online test strips order, safe use kits delivery (name 2)
What year did we start doing naloxone training?
2021
What is the main objective of harm reduction?
Keeping people alive (or minimizing consequences) while treating drug use related issues (or meeting people where they are)
Hypothetical situation: A police officer was found dead with fentanyl in his system. Headlines read: Marijuana laced with Fentanyl Causes Overdose Death in Franklin County Policy Officer. What is wrong with this statement?
It is highly unlikely that weed is laced with fentanyl. Not only is it more costly for the supplier, but when the marijuana is heated for use, fentanyl burns up at a lower temp than the marijuana itself, deactivating it upon usage. An alternate truthful title may be “Fentanyl-laced Heroin Causes Policy Officer Death”.
Why are boxes of produced naloxone increasing in dosage?
Amount of fentanyl contamination is increasing. This requires greater amount of medication to reverse overdose.
DISCUSSION TIME
Why is DARE not a useful harm reduction technique?
What is our meeting time and location?
Tuesday 7-8 PM in Enarson 258 or Lazenby 002!
Why is fentanyl dangerous?
Unregulated (high potency can also be counted)
If you administer one dose of naloxone to someone who is overdosing and they do not react to the first dose, why should you continue to administer additional doses?
Someone may have a large amount of opioids/opiates in their system. One dose of naloxone might not be strong enough for the amount of opioids present.
What are MOUDs (previously known as MATs)? Name two common MOUDs.
Medication for Opioid Use Disorder: a medication that treats OUD by relieving withdrawal symptoms and cravings by interacting with Opioid receptors without providing a high. This effect decreases likelihood to seek illicit drugs, which decreases chance of overdose. They can be used for long periods of time and people can lead healthy lives throughout treatment.
Common MOUDs: Buprenorphine/suboxone, methadone, naltrexone
Which substance is involved in the greatest amount of overdose-related deaths in america?
Fentanyl
What is our main volunteering event?
BHRxChange! Every Friday from 3-6PM, we run a syringe services program with a local harm reduction center, Safepoint, called BHRxChange. Who wants to sign up?
What is the term for compounding of marginalized identities? What are some identities that are often compounded with substance use?
Term: Intersectionality
Compounded Identities: low SES, underinsurance, mental health conditions
Drugs come in many forms. For example, Cocaine usually is powdered while adderall is usually a pill. When using a fentanyl test strip, why is it important to use the test in a dissolution of the entire pill or the residue from the entire bag that it comes in?
Fentanyl tends to clump, so testing for only part of the pill can still keep the risk of the untested part to be laced.
What is xylazine? How is it causing harm?
A powerful sedative used to tranquilize animals that is now contaminating the drug supply. In humans, it causes necrotic wounds and overdoses that cannot be reversed by Narcan.
Why is it important to refer to someone as “person who has an alcohol use disorder” vs “alcoholic”?
Person-first language. This separates the person from the condition and emphasizes the individual and not their condition in their identity. Additional answers are also destigmatizes for individuals and aids in recovery.
What is the first and last name of our Campus Training Coordinator?
Laura Powers