Harm reduction refers to policies, programs, and practices that minimize the negative health, social and legal impacts of drug use, drug policies, and drug laws. Harm reduction is grounded in justice and human rights. It focuses on positive change and working with people without judgment, coercion, discrimination, or requiring that people stop using drugs as a precondition of support. Nashville CA
RES’s DART Program is committed to treating all people with dignity and respect. Syringe Exchange
Syringe services programs (SSPs) are community-based prevention programs that can provide a range of services, including access to and disposal of sterile syringes and injection equipment, vaccination, testing, and linkage to infectious disease care and substance use treatment. Nearly 30 years of research show these programs are safe, effective, and cost-saving tools that can prevent HIV and high-risk injection behaviors among people who inject drugs. Syringe services programs help protect communities by preventing infectious disease outbreaks and facilitating the safe disposal of used syringes. These programs are not associated with increased drug use, crime, or syringe litter in communities. The most effective syringe services programs provide comprehensive services to people who inject drugs, including distributing lifesaving overdose reversal medications and referrals to substance use treatment and other health care. Services Provided
Nashville CARES’s DART Program provides the following services:
HIV Testing
HCV Testing
Linkage to Care (for newly diagnosed HIV or HCV individuals)
Syphilis Testing
PrEP NoW and PrEP 2-1-1
Condoms and L**e
Harm Reduction Kits (syringes, alcohol wipes, cooker kits, sterile water, filters, Band-Aids)
Access to Narcan/Naloxone/Kloxxado
Fentanyl Test Strips
Safe Used Syringe Disposal
