Training, Resources, and Partnerships are Key to Helping Prevent Tragic Outcomes
“Harm reduction” has become one of the new buzz words in our culture today, but what does it really mean? Simply put, harm reduction seeks to keep people as safe as possible. This doesn’t mean there is no harm being done, but it reduces the amount of harm that one may experience without those resources. Take food, for example. We know swinging through a drive-thru and eating fried food regularly for dinner or lunch is unhealthy and ultimately causes harm to our body, but for one reason or another (price, flavor, convenience, etc.) we aren’t ready to give it up. It does something for us, and we are willing to take risks to have it. If one were to view this through the lens of harm reduction, it would be like adding exercise or cooking classes. Individuals are still supporting places like the upside down “w” but are adding beneficial things that can reduce the effects of those convenience stops.
Gateway to Prevention and Recovery has taken on this challenge. Our ultimate goal at Gateway is to help people achieve their desire of not using substances. We believe people can recover, but for us to help them do so, they have to be alive. There are multiple ways we at Gateway work to reduce harm for the people in our community. One way we have done this is through a partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse to provide and distribute our communities with free narcan and fentanyl test strips. Narcan can come in a variety of forms, but a common one is the nasal spray. It is useful in the event of someone using substances, or even if someone accidentally takes their prescription medication twice and works by counteracting the effects of opioids by knocking the opioid off the brain. This allows someone suffering from an overdose to be resuscitated and get treatment. An increasingly common type of opioid is Fentanyl, which is extremely dangerous even in minute amounts. Some substances like powders, pills, etc. can be laced with Fentanyl, whether knowingly or unknowingly. This is where the Fentanyl test strips come in. They are designed to test portions of the substance and let someone know if there is Fentanyl in that particular substance.
Gateway also distributes Narcan and Fentanyl test strips into the community through our tables and booths at events like R.A.W. luncheon, Wellness Week put on by the Avedis Foundation, trainings for local educators, and others in the Shawnee area. We love getting to participate in these events, meet new people, and spread knowledge and resources to those in our community. If you are unable to catch our table at one of the local events that we are a part of, anyone can reach out to our office to receive Narcan and Fentanyl test strips.
One other current way Gateway is working towards harm reduction is through education. We meet with local businesses, organizations, and non-profits to educate them about signs of overdose, when and how to use Narcan, and next steps. These trainings and the events previously mentioned give us great opportunities to connect people with further resources for harm reduction.
Gateway is continuously developing our harm reduction program and looking for more ways to impact Shawnee and the surrounding communities. We are excited for the potential of more future partnerships, deepening our existing relationships, and reducing harm for as many individuals as possible.
Glen M. Courtney has worked at Gateway to Prevention and Recovery for 2 years starting as a Case Manager II and more recently as a Marriage and Family Therapist Under Supervision and as the Harm Reduction Coordinator. He has completed two Masters one in Christian Leadership and the other in Marriage and Family Therapy. Glen enjoys spending time with his family, watching the Thunder and OU beat everyone (especially Texas), and making people laugh.
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