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Hacks for Bathroom and Other Blockades

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What is a bathroom blockade? That’s when somebody refuses to leave the restroom. Bathroom blockades happen for many different reasons, mostly because people become agitated and confused and/or they are in desperate need of privacy.

Harm reduction OGs caution that though you can prepare for the possibility of bathroom blockades, you cannot prevent them entirely. They are inevitable. The only way you can deal with them is to patiently wait them out while reminding people consistently of the inconvenience they are causing others. Experienced harm reductionists caution against personalizing these events or getting too emotionally invested.

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. 

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Hacks

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Though largely unsupported by scientific evidence, the dangers of needle stick injury loom large in the popular imagination. As a result, the emotional response to needle stick injury can be intense even if, statistically, the risks are quite low. For this reason, if no other, it’s essential that harm reduction organizations be prepared for how they might deal with such an eventuality.
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Hacks for Service and Supply Management

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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.
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