What is harm reduction?
Harm reduction is a non-judgemental and compassionate approach to meet you (or your friend/family/colleague) where you (or they) are at with their drug and alcohol use.
A leaflet describing the principals of harm reduction by the National Harm Reduction Coalition
Harm reduction resources
Here we provide some key resources that to help you to use drugs and alcohol more safely to reduce the harm of using drugs and alcohol on your (or your loved ones) health.
One resource for learning about harm management for safer and healthier use of drugs can be found here
For information on a specific drug where they discuss a drugs (e.g. cocaine) click here
The National Harm Reduction Coalition also provides many resources around the key issues of the harm reduction movement for safer drug and alcohol use (e.g. videos, webinars, training guides, best practice evidence-based harm reduction strategies, up to date fact sheets). Issues covered include
Psychoactive Drugs Leaflet
In 2020, there were 65 drug-related deaths registered for Fife, 82% being male. Drug-related deaths in Fife have increased by 86% over the last 10 years, a trend also seen nationally. Heroin, benzodiazepines and gabapentinoids remain the drugs of highest prevalence in drug-related death toxicologies. 68% of drug-related deaths were not in treatment at time of death.
How to respond to a drug overdose
Naloxone Saves Lives.
Naloxone can reverse an overdose from opioids—including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications—when given in time. Naloxone is easy to use and small to carry. There are two forms of naloxone that anyone can use without medical training or authorization: prefilled nasal spray and injectable.
Where to access Naloxone:
You can pick up a naloxone kit at your local needle exchange or from your drug worker.
Friends and families can access Naloxone through WE ARE WITH YOU on 01333 433636.
You can also get it posted out to you by the Scottish Families affected by Drugs and Alcohol service https://www.sfad.org.uk/support-services/take-home-naloxone
For more information on key overdose signs click here
Another resource - click here where information and tools can be found for
For details about where to go for safe injecting equipment (without the need for an appointment) and what to expect and what you can pick up from a needle exchange
To search for your local needle exchange service where you can pick up new and sterile injecting equipment click here
Sharing drug-taking equipment with other people is highly dangerous and increases the risk of transmitting blood-borne viruses (BBVs), such as Hepatitis and HIV.
BBVs can also be passed on by having unprotected sex with an infected person.
Make sure that you never share any drug-taking equipment, including needles, syringes, filters, water, spoons, pipes or straws.
Avoid “splitting” drugs with other people as this can also lead to the transmissions of BBVs.
Your community needle exchange will provide a range of sterile injecting equipment to ensure that you do not have to share any equipment with anyone.
If you think you may have contracted a BBV get in touch with the sexual health service for testing and treatment
The drugs wheel is a model to help simplify the diverse modern drugs landscape. It can be used as a training tool or game for group or 1:1 sessions The Drugs Wheel: a new model for substance awareness
MDMA
Cocaine
Cannabis
Benzos
Amphetamine
Kira- Drug Emergencies
Alcohol Related Brain Damage
Nutrition for substance use