A new organization at ETSU is engaging the community in reducing negative consequences associated with substance abuse.
Students Advocating for Harm Reduction – SAFHR – is taking an initiative to educate about strategies for harm reduction such as teaching safer injection practices, providing access to syringe exchange and increasing access to Naloxone for overdose prevention.
“Substance abuse disorder is very common in our area, and many people are affected by it, either directly or indirectly,” said Anna George, co-president of SAFHR. “Our goal is to keep these individuals safe, as well as our community, by raising awareness and educating people on harm reduction strategies.”
SAFHR has partnered up with STEP TN, or Syringe Trade and Education Program of Tennessee, this semester to help combat the opioid epidemic by tackling the community’s underlying health concerns.
These programs are providing syringes, wound care supplies, sharp containers, HIV/HCV testing and treatment, naloxone distribution, safer injection education and supplies as well as treatment and recovery services to those in need.
“It is very easy for people to look at someone and say, ‘Oh, they are just a junkie,’ but they are so wrong,” George said. “That is someone’s mother, someone’s son or someone’s brother. They are struggling and don’t know where else to turn. They are in need for their community to show them the right way and the road to recovery. By providing harm reduction strategies, they can trust their community partners, which is one of the first steps into entering recovery. I believe it is time that we as students take a stand and try to help fight the epidemic without any preconceived judgments and take care of our community.”
SAFHR is currently taking donations for their fall service project. They are collecting coats, hats, gloves, scarves, water bottles and bags. There will be a donation box in the student lounge at Lamb Hall for anyone interested in donating this holiday season.
For more information about SAFHR or to get involved, contact Anna George at georgeac1@etsu.edu.
