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Notes About Clinical Space Management and OD Prevention Spaces

Some harm reduction spaces require specialised knowledge, regulations, and infrastructure that go beyond the scope of these general tips. Clinical spaces and overdose prevention sites in particular involve complex planning, staffing, and compliance considerations.

A Note About Clinical Space Management

Clinical spaces require far more technical information than can be included here. However the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Health Center Program has more information on the technical logistics of setting up clinical spaces.

Visit the HRSA

A Note About OD Prevention Spaces

Space Hacks isn’t broad enough to encompass overdose prevention spaces and, like clinical spaces, they require a lot of very specialized information and expertise. There are many resources available that help with the set-up and administration of such sites. If you or your organization are interested in creating an OD prevention space, please see the resource section for more information and technical assistance.

Resources Section

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. 

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.
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.