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Hacks for Recognizing the Physical Signs of Escalation

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Most of us are relatively familiar with the physical signs of escalation, but they include a few you may be less familiar with, including:

  • Pacing
  • Sweating
  • Shaking
  • Clenched fist or jaw.
  • General restlessness.
  • Rapid breathing.
  • Aggressive or defensive postures, including stiff body language, crossed arms, stepping back, or staring people down.

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. 

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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Creating and Defining Community

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Over and over, harm reduction leaders interviewed for Space Hacks centered the creation of community as central to their efforts to create safe, humane harm reduction spaces services that are trauma-informed and minimize the potential for escalated situations.
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