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322 Bay St. Unit 3

Petoskey, Michigan 49770

231.881.9116

harm reduction

What Is Harm Reduction?

Harm reduction refers to a range of intentional practices and public health policies designed to lessen the negative social and/or physical consequences associated with various human behaviors, both legal and illegal. 

The first step in Harm Reduction is accepting that licit and illicit drug use is apart of our world and then choosing to work to minimize its harmful effects rather than simply ignoring or condemning them.***

What Does CRA do to support Harm Reduction?

CRA provides access to free Naloxone/Narcan at its Community Center and Events, along with first aid kits and harm reduction kits.

First Aid Kits by CRA
First Aid Kits by CRA
First Aid Kits by CRA
First Aid Kits by CRA

Are you interested in getting a large amount of Narcan? Are you looking to provide a Narcan training for your company/organization? Submit a request form or email support@crami.org.

What is Naloxone/Narcan?

  • Naloxone or Narcan is a medication used to reverse or reduce the effects of opioids, usually in a manner to counter a potential opioid overdose.
  • It can take upwards of 10 minutes for the effect of Narcan to work – depending on the delivery method:
    • Nasal Spray – 10 Minutes
    • Injected into a muscle – 5 Minutes
    • Administered into a vein – 2 Minutes
  • Narcan blocks the effects of opioids for 30-90 Minutes.
  • The use of Narcan on someone who is not experiencing an overdose will not harm them.

Why should you keep Naloxone/Narcan accessible?

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  Opioid Overdoses can happen to:

  • An elderly person who forgot they already took their medications.
  • An Adult who took their medications as prescribed.
  • A child who got into a prescription bottle.
  • Someone with a substance use disorder.
  • Someone who bought an illicit drug that was laced with fentanyl.

An overdose can happen in any location; at home, at work, at the library, at a restaurant etc.; and it can happen to a friend, family member or stranger.

Where can you get Naloxone/Narcan?

  • Narcan is available over the counter at your local pharmacy. (This is NOT free)
 
  • CRA provides FREE Narcan at its Community Center and at events it attends/holds.
 
  • You can order Free Narcan online here – Nextdistro.org (This is also a great source for other Harm Reduction Options in Michigan).
 
  •  Harm Reduction MI has 24/7 Naloxone Boxes located throughout the State of Michigan that allows individuals to access Narcan for free whenever you need it. Please use the map to the right to locate a Narcan Box closest to you.

**This map is not created nor maintained by CRA**

What are other forms of Harm Reduction?

Fentanyl Test Strips

*Available at CRA*

Fentanyl, a potent and dangerous opioid, increases the risk of an overdose. Fentanyl is deadly and has been found in heroin, cocaine, counterfeit pills, and other street drugs.

Knowing if drugs contain fentanyl can lower your risk of an overdose.

Syringe Exchange

*Not Available at CRA*

A Syringe Exchange allows you to turn in used needles, but also gain access to Narcan and access into getting treatment for your substance use disorder.

*A PDF printable map provided and maintained by the State of Michigan can be found here*

PDF Directory

**This map is not created nor maintained by CRA**

For Data and Statistics on the Syringe Service Program offers by the State of Michigan, you can visit here – >

https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/keep-mi-healthy/mentalhealth/drugcontrol/syringe-service-programs/data-and-stats/data-statistics

Pill or Medication Drop Off

*Not Available at CRA*

The Pill/Medication Drop off allows for safe disposale of old/expired medications.
 

Providing these locations means there is less risk of accidental Overdose on medications and helps prevent local water sources from being contaminated if those pills are flushed down the toilet.

**This map is not created nor maintained by CRA**

*** This definition of Harm reduction is provided by harmreduction.org – please visit this website to learn more about harm reduction.