FDS Insight Newsletter Jul-Sep 2020

45 show a rapid decrease in fatal overdoses, a lower likelihood in engaging in behaviors that risk HIV, and users were overall more likely to initiate detoxifying or seeking treatment. Since opening in 2003, Insite has administered 3.6 million injections, and no one has ever died. While there have been many efforts to introduce injection sites in America, and specifically in Seattle where critics such as the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington, Brian Moran, have warned of potential lawsuits if injection sites were to be developed. Yet, despite opposition from positions of power, ‘drug user empowerment organizations’ like Seattle-based People’s Harm Reduction Alliance (PHRA) are actively working within the community to provide resources that promote harm reduction. PHRA provides same-day availability of suboxone, a medication-assisted therapy containing naloxone and buprenorphine that blocks the effects of opioids and reduces urges to use. In addition, PHRA offers hepatitis C and drug content testing, where users can test their recreational drugs for harmful additives. While the general public assumes this information will not deter someone from using a drug due to the recklessness of addiction, studies in Austria show that if a drug is flagged as dangerous, 48% of people would not use them and 34% said they would take less. Lastly, in contrast to other needle exchange programs offered by King County, PHRA operates on a need- based criteria, meaning they will always offer clean needles, while other programs require an exchange of used needles for clean ones. PHRA considers this more effective, as current studies show a substantial decline in risky syringe lending and borrowing when exchange programs offer needles on the basis of need not trade. These efforts are important to consider when we look at the resources the UW offers to those suffering opioid abuse. Currently, according to Dr. David Dugdale, current interim executive director of Hall Health, the only harm reduction techniques the UW has adopted are ones required by the state. These include a Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, where doctors are granted access to patients’ previous medical records and prescriptions. In addition, the UW adopted new dosing standards, substantially reducing patients’ first dosage of opioids to eliminate risks of abuse. Narcan is an extremely effective medicine in blocking opioid abuse and preventing overdose deaths. However, lack of awareness and accessibility has impeded this literal lifesaver from, well, saving lives. ‘Only someone who is prescribed opioids on a regular and long-term basis [can access Narcan]; giving Narcan to people with just any drug prescription is not considered a typical practice,’ Dugdale said.