Harm Reduction at Westminster

Harm Reduction at Westminster is a Prevention, Education, Coordination: Educate District residents and stakeholders on opioid use disorder, its risk, and harm reduction approach through coordination community efforts 

 We have been granted a to-be distribution site for Narcan.  Naloxone (aka Narcan) is a medication that reverses an opioid overdose and can save the life of your friend, your loved one, even yourself.  No Cost No prescription. Coming soon we will also be distributing Fentanyl Test strips.  This is a harm reduction tool the individual user can use to test the drug they received on the street.    View the 8 minute video below 

We were granted our first grant through the DC Department of Behavioral Health recovery month in 2019.  With the funding we were able to accomplish:

• Kick-off the event with 31 participates
• Two Workshops Opioid 101 and Narcan instruction for administering with 71 participants (in-person)
• Recovery Sunday Service 91 participates

In 2020 we received a recovery Month with a one year agreement.

• Livestream Community Conversation 2616 participates online
• Opioid 101 training for NBC staff.  43 participates online

Our most successful event was The "You Are Not Alone" event in Ward 6 was held on International Overdose Awareness Day. The event, led by Westminster Presbyterian, brought together more than 10 organizations working within Ward 6 that met as a result of the Ward 6 engagement meetings. Collaborating organizations included: Ward 5 & 6 Prevention Center; Total Family Care Coalition; Community Connections; Family Medical Counseling Services; Reason to Hope Foundation; HealthHIV; We Act Radio; READY Center and Riverside Church in SW. There was networking, storytelling, and a panel discussion around drug user health. The event was held both in-person and virtually to allow for greater attendance.

45 people in person

1520 on line

5 testimony