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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. 

When someone is agitated or in distress, how we carry ourselves can make a huge difference. Non-verbal cues—like posture, breathing, and personal space—can either calm a situation or escalate it further. The following tips offer guidance on using body language to reduce tension, show respect, and create a safer, more grounded interaction.
These principles were developed over a period of about four years in the 1990s amid much debate among early harm reductionists, who came to consensus on these enduring principles of harm reduction.