Reduce the health risks associated with using drugs by accessing supplies 24 / 7 / 365
The Harm Reduction model recognizes that people who use
drugs deserve the same access to care and life saving materials as everyone
else. Caracole's harm reduction supply machine offers access to harm reduction supplies, allowing you to
remain safe and healthy while using drugs and having sex.
What supplies are inside?
Dispensed items include:
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Safer injection kit* includes
naloxone, fentanyl
test strips, cookers, alcohol pads, cottons, tourniquets, intra muscular (IM)
naxolone, syringes for IM naloxone, bottle of bleach, condoms (internal and external)
and lube
*Does not include syringes
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Safer smoking kit includes pipe
covers, intramuscular (IM) naloxone, syringes for IM naxolone, fentanyl test strips, condoms
(internal and external) and lube
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Safer sex kit includes condoms
(internal and external) and lube
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Intramuscular Narcan (naloxone)
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Nasal spray Narcan (naloxone)
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Sharps containers
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Personal protective equipment (PPE) kit includes mask, gloves sanitizing wipes and gel
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Adhesive bandages
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Pregnancy tests
Why use the harm reduction supply machine?
Although machines like these are still scarce in the U.S., use of these
machines in other countries—such as Australia, Georgia, Mexico, and
France—has
been proven effective in reducing disease and overdose.
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Diseases, such as HIV, hepatitis, etc., can be spread by sharing syringes. Hepatitis can also be spread by sharing equipment such as cookers and cottons (for injecting), and pipes or stems (smoking). The supply machine contains several
variations of prepackaged kits tailored to your specific needs.
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Whether you smoke, inject, or orally ingest your
drugs, you ARE at risk of fatal overdose. Fentanyl, a powerful substance linked
to the majority of overdose, has contaminated the drug supply and is commonly
found in rock and powder cocaine, pressed pills, designer drugs, and
methamphetamine. The supply machine contains fentanyl test strips (to test
your drug for the presence of fentanyl), as well as naloxone, also known as Narcan, a drug
administered in emergency situations to reverse an overdose and save a life.
How to use naloxone [video]
How to use a fentanyl test strip [video]
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Use of new/sterile supplies greatly reduces risk
of bodily infections including abscesses and
endocarditis, and illnesses such as cotton fever.
The use of these
machines has also been a successful way to engage individuals who may otherwise
not have accessed harm reduction services, like syringe services programs, as well as “sometimes” users and
individuals new to using drugs.
How do you access the machine?
First-time
participants can simply call 513.399.6969 and complete a brief sign-up survey
with a member of our staff. After completing the survey, you are given a personalized code that
allows you to gain access to the machine once per week for 90 days.
After 90 days, participants are required to check in with staff and sign up to continue use of the machine.
All information
gathered is confidential and all supplies inside the machine are free.
Where is the machine located?
The machine is located outside the rear entrance at:
Caracole
4138 Hamilton Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45223
Caracole sits at the corner of Hamilton Avenue and Knowlton Street. The rear entrance is off the parking lot, which can be found in the back of the building off of Knowlton Street.
What if I need more supplies?
In partnership with Hamilton County Public Health, Caracole offers harm reduction services and supplies, including new syringes, at our syringe services program on Thursdays from 5:00 – 7:30 PM. To learn more, visit caracole.org/syringe-services.
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Reach out to learn more:
Call/text 513.399.6969 or email prevention@caracole.org
Jayme Brogan
Harm Reduction Services Coordinator
she/her/hers
Rob Goeller
Prevention Supervisor
he/him/his
Leah Majesky
Harm Reduction Services Coordinator
she/her/hers
Rashida Pearson
Harm Reduction Services Coordinator
she/her/hers
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