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Hacks for Defining Your Physical Parameters

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Multiple harm reduction leaders talked about the importance of developing a sense of the physical parameters of your site.

This refers to the amount of territory around you that you’re willing to be responsible for in terms of cleanliness and/or de-escalation.

Many leaders said that, for physical locations, the block around them was about the only space that they felt like they could be responsible for, and some even limited it to outside their front door, or just a few feet away from their site. For leaders providing mobile services, those parameters were most reasonably set at “within sight range”.

It’s up to you to decide what you want those parameters to be, but you should do that upfront and advise harm reduction leaders. That way your community can be on the same page about what is, and is not, your responsibility.

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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Universal Precautions and Workplace Safety

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Though not all harm reduction organizations or programs are in need of universal precautions or OSHA considerations, most are. It’s important when setting up a harm reduction space to take into consideration the important and real risks of harm reduction work. This includes the potential for entry and exposure to blood-borne pathogens as well as airborne pathogens.
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