Harm Reduction advocates have been hard at work trying to get state, local and federal governments to increase and expand resources and services to combat the opioid crisis and mitigate the amount of overdoses and overdose deaths across the nation. A couple new resources are now available.
Recently, a test strip pre-order form was created by the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP), the Department of Health (DOH), and the Commission of Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) so that harm reduction and recovery service providers can easily access the testing resources such as Fentanyl and Xylazine testing strips. Follow this link to view the pre-order form.
In addition, the FDA has approved a second over the counter opioid overdose reversal drug called RiVive. Harm Reduction Therapeutics and Catalent Inc have partnered to manufacture this product. Harm Reduction Therapeutics has said that the product will be available early next year primarily to harm-reduction organizations and state governments at a price that is lower than other opioid antagonist nasal sprays. The not-for-profit drugmaker said it would make at least 200,000 doses available for free.
RiVive is another nasal spray version of naloxone, which rapidly reverses or blocks the effects of opioids, restoring normal respiration, especially when given within minutes of the first signs of an overdose.
This critical milestone will provide an increased opportunity for residents to have a life-saving product on hand in case an overdose is witnessed. It is crucial that we continue to produce and provide funding for these types of products so that we can continue to combat the opioid crisis and, ultimately, save lives.
CCJ has been working hard with other state and local groups to advocate for Harm Reduction strategies such as these. For further information or to get involved in Harm Reduction advocacy work, please contact our Field Program Coordinator Paul at 412-229-7333 or paul@centerforcoalfieldjustice.org.
