Harm Reduction

WFYI Harm Reduction Project

Harm reduction is a public health approach which is being used with strong success to improve the lives of Hoosiers that use substances, including those that inject substances. Emphasizing physical health, social well-being, and quality of life, it aims to accomplish public health goals in the long term, by alleviating the immediate danger of overdose and the long-term impact of highly transmissible infectious diseases like Hepatitis B, C and HIV.

This series of video vignettes are the stories of how harm reduction efforts have changed the public health of Indiana for those who struggle with substance use disorder. Through assertive outreach in a multitude of programs, individual lives have been saved, and communities transformed.

Most of the video for this series was shot prior to the coronavirus outbreak of 2020. Any video shot after March, 2020 was conducted with appropriate health safety precautions.

Bright mid-day view of the traditional neoclassical architecture of the Capitol Building’s dome, columns, and steps in Washington DC, USA

Lawmakers

The politics of harm reduction brings controversy and results.
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I'm always here for you. Indoor shot of warm-hearted young African American man showing compassion to unrecognizable male, patting him on shoulder while trying to comfort and reassure his best friend

Peer Recovery Coaches

One of the crucial tools to aid those with SUD is guidance from those in recovery.
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young people are discussing something sitting in a circle.

Indiana Peer Education Program (INPEP)

An innovative approach towards health education in Indiana prisons.
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Community celebration with blurred people

Scott County SSP

The story of the small rural county where an HIV outbreak Innovated the model for syringe service programs across rural America.
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Doctor put syringe in red disposal boxes

Allen County SSP

A profile of one of Indiana’s successful syringe service programs.
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African-American black driver is being pulled off by female police officer

Police Training

Police officers must walk a delicate line between enforcing existing law and serving those who utilize harm reduction efforts.
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Heroin syringe on rough concrete, dirty background

Syringe Service Programs in Indiana

An overview of a critical public health intervention.
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Policeman Works On Laptop In A Police Station.

Nate and the Detective

Unable to live with his substance use disorder any longer, Nate Moellering’s life was forever altered by his encounter with an empathetic Ft. Wayne police ...
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Fiat ducato RV holiday grey motorhome Caravan car Vacation with camper van parked near river

Monroe County SSP

A syringe service program meeting people where they are.
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WFYI created a long-edit, documentary version of the above clips, “No Harm: The Quiet Secret of Substance Use Recovery”. This documentary can be viewed online at this LINK, or by searching on the PBS streaming app on your smart television.