Uwharrie Harm Reduction Initiative seeks to meet people where they are at regardless of need or stage of recovery.  They acknowledge that not every client is ready to seek treatment for drug use.  However, each interaction they have with a client is a means to share overdose prevention information and supplies, helps them prevent communicable diseases, and provides encouragement and counseling from Certified Peer Support Specialists, program staff, and volunteers.  With 1,706 participant interactions within the fiscal year 2022/23, that means there were 1,706 chances to inform participants how to protect their health. 

Uwharrie Harm Reduction

Stanly County Health Department

Stanly County EMS

Certified peer support specialists provide counseling and support groups to encourage wellness and recovery with people who use drugs.  They also provide help with document restoration, job training, linkages to behavioral health and physical healthcare, transportation, connections to detox, and more.

Each participant that needs it also receives naloxone at no cost.