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Hacks About Weapons at Site

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People starting out in harm reduction sometimes have concerns about participants possessing weapons at site. But the reality of most participants’ lives is that certain weapons, especially knives, are essential for general life purposes rather than nefarious ones.

It’s therefore a burden to ask people not to carry these tools. Instead, many harm reduction organizations simply ask people to conceal them at site because they can be upsetting to others.

Featured Hacks

These featured hacks highlight creative, practical solutions from harm reduction leaders on the ground. From DIY tools to clever workarounds, each one reflects the ingenuity, care, and real-world experience that keeps this movement alive. 

Many of the harm reduction leaders that were interviewed for Space Hacks talked about how critical it is to effectively manage services, supplies, and inventory in order to maintain community tranquility. It may not feel intuitive, but OGs report that ineffective management of supplies is the number one potential flashpoint for escalated situations during harm reduction services.
Generally, it’s important to use “person first language” when describing people who are marginalized due to some part of their identity being stigmatized, such as folks struggling with their substance use, people who do sex work, and folks living outside.