Comprehensive Harm Reduction
Comprehensive harm reduction (CHR) is a public health strategy that reduces the harms of substance use for individuals who use drugs and the community as a whole. CHR meets people where they are, but never leaves them there. The CHR program in Mount Rogers Health District began in late 2018. It provides supportive, judgement-free services to individuals who use drugs, connecting them to a variety of services to help reduce the harms of drug use. Three years later, the program has served 300+ individuals and tens of thousands of used syringes and needles have been safely thrown away.
There are many resources to prevent substance use and treatment/recovery resources for those who are ready to stop using. Harm reduction stands in the middle, as a bridge for those who are currently using but might not yet be ready to enter into recovery. CHR staff offer recovery resources, but also tools to keep people as healthy as possible, and alive, until they are ready to stop using.
Services include:
- Exchange of used syringes and needles for new syringes and needles
- Safe disposal of used syringes and needles
- Overdose prevention education and kits (including naloxone)
- Testing for hepatitis A, B, and C, tuberculosis, HIV, and STIs
- Vaccinations (including hepatitis A and B, flu, and COVID-19)
- Family planning/birth control
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV
- Referrals to social services, mental health services, medical care, health insurance sign-up assistance
- ASPIRE program – peer recovery services
CHR services are available at the Smyth County Health Department, Monday-Friday, from 9-12 and 1-4. New participants must arrive by 3:30 to be seen; this allows sufficient time for intake paperwork.
To enroll in CHR services, visit the Smyth County Health Department or contact Tammy Bise, CHR Program Coordinator, tammy.bise@vdh.virginia.gov, 276-781-7450.
For more information about CHR services in Virginia, please visit vdh.virginia.gov/disease-prevention/chr/.
ASPIRE
ASPIRE is a peer service program, part of the population health services at Mount Rogers Health District. ASPIRE works closely in conjunction with the Comprehensive Harm Reduction program.
ASPIRE offers a peer-to-peer strengths-based approach with a trauma-informed lens. From active addiction, to long-term recovery of mental health and substance use issues, peers in the ASPIRE program are here to work with individuals on achieving their own personal aspirations. ASPIRE is not a treatment program and does not endorse any specific pathway to recovery. We feel that meeting people where they are is best practice when offering services and support to those who come to ASPIRE.
What we do:
- Assist others in building their own self-directed goals
- Provide a trauma-informed care environment where individuals feel comfortable
- Find healthy alternatives to replace or decrease unhealthy activities
- Facilitate peer self-help and educational groups
- Use recovery-oriented or harm reduction tools to help their peers address challenges
- Empower others by helping them identify their strengths, supports, resources and skills
- Assist individuals with accessing resources to meet their needs
ASPIRE is not limited to working with individuals who are ready to make a commitment to recovery. Our program welcomes individuals that may simply have a desire to decrease their use, acquire other tools that allow them to manage situations without substances, or need a supportive system where they can discuss dysfunctions with their mental health, life struggles, or guidance for utilizing resources.
Drop-in availability is limited and scheduled visits are preferred. ASPIRE is available at Smyth County Health Department
For more information about the ASPIRE program or to enroll in services, contact:
Smyth County Health Department
276-781-7460
Hours of services are typically 8a-3p M-F
201 Francis Marion Lane, Marion, VA 24354
Crystal Ferguson, PRS
276-642-7335
crystal.ferguson@vdh.virginia.gov
Hours of service are typically 9a-4p