Harm Reduction Overview

Between October 2023 and September 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported approximately 87,000 drug overdose deaths (CDC, 2025), a 24% decline in drug overdose deaths compared to the previous year (114,000 deaths to 87,000 deaths) (CDC, 2025). While this is the lowest number of deaths the country has seen in the past five years, drug overdoses and overdose deaths remain the leading cause of death for people aged 18-44 and disproportionately affect certain marginalized communities around the country (CDC,2025; Henderson, 2024; Drug Policy Alliance, 2024). To learn more about Louisiana overdose data, please visit the Louisiana Opioid Data and Surveillance System.

To address the opioid epidemic, public health organizations and institutions engage in an array of evidence-based practices, including harm reduction. Harm reduction is an evidence-based approach to engaging people who use drugs (PWUD) and providing them with life-saving tools and information. These services aim to prevent overdose and infectious disease transmission; improve physical, mental, and social well-being; and offer low barrier options for accessing.

The Harm Reduction Distribution Hub

The Louisiana Statewide Harm Reduction Distribution Hub is a transformational centralized platform, where institutions can apply to be distribution sites and request harm reduction materials to distribute to the general public. The hub also offers training, educational materials, and links to harm reduction resources. Distribution sites can order naloxone (Narcan nasal spray, 4mg), fentanyl test strips, 1 quart and 5 quart sharps containers, wound care kits, Deterra drug deactivation bags, large and small LockMed bags, personal hygiene kits, and fact sheets. The goal of this program is to provide PWUD and other members of the community with evidence-based harm reduction resources. The Harm Reduction Distribution Hub is funded through the Louisiana State Opioid Response (LaSOR) grant. This is the program’s third funding cycle, which originally began in December 2022.

Becoming a Harm Reduction Distribution Hub Site

A Harm Reduction Distribution Hub Site is a community-based entity that has completed an agreement and has been approved to distribute harm reduction products on behalf of the state of Louisiana to individuals and other entities as an overall approach to reducing overdoses and transmission of infectious diseases. To become a distribution site, you must complete the application providing the information requested and agree to distribute materials to the public (individuals and other entities).

Some examples of community-based organizations and other institutions who serve PWUD and people who associate with PWUD include:

• Syringe Service Programs (SSPs)

• Local Governing Entities (LGEs)

• Shelters

• Harm Reduction Groups

• Substance Use Disorder Treatment Centers/Programs

• Social Service Agencies

• Faith-Based Organizations

• Primary Care Clinics

To become a site, an institution and its individuals must agree to the following:

• Your institution has no other funding sources available to purchase or acquire the harm reduction materials available through the Harm Reduction Hub.

• Your institution will distribute to the community, including individuals and other institutions that are not distribution sites, and will be available as listed on the Harm Reduction Hub website.

• Your institution will provide education and training on the recognition of an opioid overdose and appropriate use of the opioid overdose antidote, naloxone.

• Your institution will engage with priority populations, which includes 1) people who use drugs, including opioids, such as fentanyl, and other drugs, and 2) friends and family members who may witness/respond to an overdose.

• Your institution will provide harm reduction supplies to ANYONE who asks for harm reduction supplies, as the purpose of this program is to be a low barrier resource for everyone.

• Your institution will participate in both the Portal Orientation facilitated by the Harm Reduction Hub Monitor and the Narcan & Fentanyl Test Strip Use training offered by the Office of Public Health STD/HIV/Hepatitis Program BEFORE distribution begins.

• Your institution will submit accurate and complete monthly reporting forms by the 15th of each month. Orders will NOT be filled until the monthly reporting form is accurate, complete and submitted.

• Your institution will sign and date packing slips of the orders you receive. Further orders will NOT be filled until you submit signed and dated packing slips or other sufficient ordering data.

• Your institution will be communicative and responsive. After approval, you will provide a secondary contact that will take over for the primary contact when unavailable.

Every approved harm reduction site is able to order the following items on a monthly basis:

• Naloxone (Narcan nasal spray, 4mg)

• Fentanyl Test Strips

• Sharps Containers, 1 and 5 Quarts

• Wound Care Kits

• Deterra Bags

• LockMed Bags, Lrg and Sml

• Personal Hygiene Kits

• Printed Fact Sheets

Applying to Become a Site

UPDATE (05/05/2025): As of May 5, 2025, we are taking a brief pause on reviewing applications. Please note that you can still submit your application. We will contact you when the application process resumes.

To become a site, please fill out the site application here: https://laredcap.oph.dhh.la.gov/surveys/?s=MTFC8FY87H8N7987.

When filling out the application, please consider the following tips:

• Be as thorough as possible when filling out the questions. If the application does not provide adequate information, their application decision may be delayed.

• Have a strong understanding of the harm reduction program at SHHP. Read about what the program offers, our commitment to harm reduction, and what other sites are doing around their site. For more, please visit https://www.louisianahealthhub.org/hrdhub/.

• Be a needs-based program. We strive to work with organizations that do not have funding for Narcan and other harm reduction supplies. That said, we look at every application carefully and will reach out for further information, if necessary.

• Ask questions! Please email the Statewide Harm Reduction Distribution Hub Monitor, Aaron Elkins (aaron.elkins@la.gov), if you need any help or clarification.