As leaders in Berks County in the field of substance use and addiction, COCA recognizes the importance of harm reduction to help save lives.
COCA is committed to finding innovative ways to reach people in need of resources and interventions that may help reduce some of the risks associated with substance use. While we always want the best outcomes for everyone, we also believe in meeting people where they are in their journeys. This sometimes means an individual may not be ready for making changes like treatment and recovery. Our hope is that people will take precautions and use evidence-based interventions and safety measures if using illicit drugs.
COCA’s increased focused on harm reduction efforts includes expanding Narcan® outreach into the community. We know that easy access to Narcan® is one way to combat the high rates of opioid overdose deaths. COCA provides free Narcan® and training for people who live or work in Berks County. Learn more or order a free Narcan Kit.
Another evidence-based intervention that COCA has implemented recently is drug checking strips. These are small, individually packaged strips that allow people to detect deadly substances like fentanyl and xylazine in the drug supply. Knowing what is in the supply allows people to make real-time decisions about how best to stay safe.
The Partnership to End Addiction has put together an online Harm Reduction Resource Center with ideas for lowering risks for various substances. Below are links to several pages with substance specific strategies for reducing risks.
