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Toolkit Introduction
Following the launch of Three Rivers District Health Department (TRDHD) first Harm Reduction Program in the fall of 2015 at the Pendleton County Health Center, the initial excitement was quickly eclipsed with the prospect of starting the process over for three more counties. The amount of information available can be overwhelming and sorting through what is evidence-based versus fabrication can be a daunting task. The staff of TRDHD was given the opportunity to consolidate information into one location to help simplify the development of future programs. With funding assistance from the KY Department for Public Health (DPH), TRDHD developed an electronic toolkit for distribution to agencies who may be interested in starting their own Harm Reduction Program. Download here
Introducing Harm Reduction
In March of 2015, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear signed the bipartisan Senate Bill 192, also known as the anti-heroin bill. SB 192 offered multiple tactics to reduce the trafficking and abuse of Heroin. This bill invested in a vast array of substance abuse and criminal justice programs. As of April 2019, Kentucky has 56 approved Harm Reduction Programs. The concept of harm reduction is meeting the participants where they are in their drug use cycle while continuing to provide them with the best resources available. Stigma involved with being an IV drug user can prevent some people from seeking the services that are provided. Having the right people in place is crucial to the services that are provided. Download here
Obtaining Approval
In Kentucky, the physical location of the harm reduction program will determine what approval is required. Currently, the only entity permitted to provide harm reduction services is the local health department. This requires several layers of approval, the local health department board, fiscal court and city council. It is also recommended that a meeting is held with the local sheriff and police departments to inform them of the approval and implementation of your harm reduction program. Download here
Planning and Implementation
Once the approval has been obtained, the program will need to be fully developed and implemented. Many decisions will need to be made including, but not limited to: store front versus mobile unit, days and hours of operation, what supplies to offer, who will work the program, getting the information out to the community to be served and determining the method to be used to create a unique identifier to allow the participant to remain anonymous while using the program. Download here
Program Evaluation
To assure that an agency is providing the best care possible to the community being served the process that will be used to evaluate is paramount. There are currently two programs known to the state that can provide an evaluation tool for use. These programs are Redcap and Neo 360. The Kentucky Department for Public Health uses Redcap to monitor multiple aspects of the program but is sometimes limited on the ease of use. Neo 360 was developed for use within a syringe exchange program and the information can be uploaded into the Redcap system. There are some aspects of Neo360 that can be tailored for agency preferences. Download here
Resources
Multiple open resources and tools are available for use throughout the internet and via the CDC and state of Kentucky website. Some of these resources can be adapted to a specific agency’s needs. Download here
