Orange County NC Website
106 <br /> 1. Proposal Summary <br /> Student Health Action Coalition Syringe Services Program (SHAC SSP) is a harm <br /> reduction-based organization providing sterile injection supplies, naloxone, first aid supplies, <br /> fentanyl and xylazine test strips, and referrals to other social and health services to people who <br /> use drugs (PWUD) in Orange County. We seek to address participant needs through an <br /> evidence-based approach including providing them with safer use supplies and education and <br /> training on overdose response, and connections with substance use disorder (SUD) treatment <br /> resources if desired. With our prior Orange County Opioid Settlement Funding we greatly <br /> expanded our program, more than doubling numbers of syringes and naloxone doses provided, <br /> and adding an additional weekly supply distribution shift. With this application we seek funding <br /> to continue to expand supply provision to PWUD in Orange County, grow from two to three <br /> weekly shifts to serve additional participants, develop emergency use naloxone boxes in critical <br /> overdose hotspots throughout Orange County, streamline our referral process, further <br /> incorporate PWUDs' perspectives in our program development, and enhance dissemination of <br /> our work. Our program serves the historically marginalized population of PWUD in Orange <br /> County, including many who are also experiencing marginalizing socioeconomic conditions such <br /> as homelessness and unemployment. Our innovative structure as a student-led and -run SSP <br /> allows us to foster a passion for harm reduction in students across the University of North <br /> Carolina (UNC), and our participants benefit from our connection with other student-run clinics <br /> within UNC including free primary care, HIV and STI testing and treatment, dental care, and <br /> other necessary resources. <br />