Frequently Asked Questions

According to the Harm Reduction Coalition (HRC) Harm Reduction is:

• A set of practical strategies that reduce the negative consequences associated with high risk behaviors, such as drug use and unprotected sex.
• Harm Reduction accepts that for better or for worse, illegal and legal drug use is a part of this world and works to minimize its harmful effects rather than simply ignoring or condemning the people who use drugs.
• Harm reduction incorporates a spectrum of strategies from severe abuse to total abstinence and acknowledges that some ways of using drugs are clearly safer than others.
• Harm Reduction acknowledges that since needs are specific to individuals and communities, there is no universal definition or formula for implementing harm reduction.
• Harm reduction strategies meet people “where they’re at” but don’t leave them there.
• Examples of harm reduction strategies include: distribution of condoms, distribution of sterile syringes, distribution of naloxone/Narcan©, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) (Principles of Harm Reduction, 2018).

What Harm Reduction is NOT:

• Harm reduction does not mean “anything goes”.
• Harm reduction does not enable drug use or high risk behaviors.
• Harm reduction does not condone, endorse, or encourage drug use or sex work.
• Harm reduction does not exclude or dismiss abstinence-based substance use treatment models as viable options (Principles of Harm Reduction, 2018).

• ALWAYS HAVE NALOXONE/NARCAN with you, no matter what drug you're using. Fentanyl can be in any drug (cocaine, meth, pills bought on the street, etc.)
• TEST THE SUPPLY. Knowing whether fentanyl is present in the drug can help guide decisions related to use.
• NEVER USE ALONE. If someone is with you, they can call 911 and help if you overdose.
• IF YOU DO USE ALONE, ASK SOMEONE TO CHECK ON YOU. You can do this by phone, text, or in person. Ask them to check on you in 5 minutes.
• BE AWARE OF WHAT MAKES YOU MORE AT RISK OF OVERDOSING. 
• This includes if you have overdosed before, if you haven't used opioids in a while (your tolerance drops fast), if you're sick (cold, flu, etc.), and if you're using other drugs at the same time (especially alcohol, benzos, and other opioids).
• USE SLOWLY. This lets your body adjust and helps you see how the drugs affect you.
• TRY SNORTING OR SMOKING INSTEAD. Injecting is the riskiest way to use drugs. You can still overdose by snorting or smoking, especially with fentanyl. Start slow and use less at first.

Fentanyl test strips are tools that can check if drugs have fentanyl in them. These strips can help people avoid overdoses by knowing if fentanyl is present before using the drugs. Research shows that people are willing to use these strips and change their behavior if the test is positive.

The Frederick County Health Department gives out free fentanyl test strips to people who use drugs. Visit our page to learn more about our Syringe Services Program.

Yes. There are significant legal protections for Syringe Services Program (SSP) Participants, Volunteers and Staff. Under Senate Bill 97, § 24-908. Immunity from prosecution; permitted prosecutions

Approved Program Activities Provide Significant Legal Protections to Staff, Volunteer and Participants whom:

“MAY NOT BE ARRESTED, CHARGED, OR PROSECUTED FOR VIOLATING § 5–601, § 5–619, § 5–620, OR § 5–902(C) OR (D) OF THE CRIMINAL LAW ARTICLE FOR POSSESSING OR DISTRIBUTING CONTROLLED PARAPHERNALIA OR DRUG PARAPHERNALIA WHENEVER THE POSSESSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF THE CONTROLLED PARAPHERNALIA OR DRUG PARAPHERNALIA IS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE EMPLOYEE’S, VOLUNTEER’S, OR PARTICIPANT’S ACTIVITIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE WORK OF A PROGRAM AUTHORIZED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE.”

Syringe Services Programs (SSPs) have been shown to:

• Reduce the spread of diseases like HIV and Hepatitis C (HCV)
• Help people be ready to start treatment for substance use
• Reduce deaths from overdose
• Save Money
• Reduce injuries from needles