Down in the holler, things are looking up.
Through our work with folks who use drugs and the people who care about them, Holler Harm Reduction supports safe use to reduce the rates of overdose, infectious diseases, and injection-related infections.
Join the Community!
The Holler Drop In is open Monday-Friday from 11am-4pm.
You can pick up supplies, get trainings on overdose prevention and safer using, or just hang out!
How we serve communities & individuals:
-
Advocacy
We collaborate with organizations, businesses and individuals seeking more inclusive policies to engage and support drug users.
-
Health
Holler Harm Reduction provides safe supplies for people who use drugs, overdose prevention education and Naloxone. Delivery or in-person pick up.
-
Community
At Holler we focus on building community. We believe connection saves lives and aim to create a space for relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Syringe Exchange legal in North Carolina?
Syringe Exchange became legal in North Carolina on July 11, 2016 when House Bill 972 was signed into law.
What services do Harm Reduction Programs provide?
Syringe exchange programs operating in North Carolina are required to provide the following:
Disposal of used needles and hypodermic syringes
Needles, hypodermic syringes, and other injection supplies at no cost and in quantities sufficient to ensure that needles, hypodermic syringes, and other injection supplies are not shared or reused
Reasonable and adequate security of program sites, equipment, and personnel. (Written plans for security shall be provided to the police and sheriff’s offices with jurisdiction in the program location and shall be updated annually)
Educational materials on all of the following: Overdose prevention; the prevention of HIV, AIDS, and viral hepatitis transmission; drug abuse prevention; treatment for mental illness, including treatment referrals; treatment for substance abuse, including referrals for medication assisted treatment
Access to naloxone kits or referrals to programs that provide access to naloxone
For each individual requesting services, personal consultations from a program employee or volunteer concerning mental health or addiction treatment as appropriate
Programs should also provide written verification to all participants that they have received syringes and other injection supplies from the exchange. This can be in the form of a letter or laminated card.
Courtesy of NCHRC: https://www.nchrc.org/programs/syringe-services/syringe-exchange-in-nc-faq/
Is it legal to have syringes and naloxone?
Under H972, no employee, volunteer or participant of the syringe exchange can be charged with possession of syringes or other injection supplies, or with residual amounts of controlled substances in them, obtained from or returned to a syringe exchange. To encourage people to feel comfortable using the exchange and to avoid any uncertainty should participants be stopped by law enforcement, exchange should offer participants a wallet card or other documentation that they are a participant in the exchange that they can show to police if they are stopped.
Courtesy of NCHRC https://www.nchrc.org/programs/syringe-services/syringe-exchange-in-nc-faq/
Where else can I get free syringes and Naloxone?
In Buncombe County:
The Steady Collective https://thesteadycollective.org/
Western North Carolina AIDS Project https://wncap.org
In Haywood County:
North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition https://www.nchrc.org/sites/nc-harm-reduction-coalition/
What do I do about found syringes?
You can always call us for assistance in collecting and disposing of used syringes found in the community. We have outreach workers and volunteers available to address community needs around syringe disposal and will assist in collecting and disposing of syringes safely.
If you feel comfortable collecting a used syringe on your own follow these steps..
Put on gloves
Place a puncture-proof container like a laundry detergent bottle or sharps container next to the discarded syringe
Using tongs or gloved hands pick up the syringe from the middle of the barrel and place point down into the container
Secure the lid and duct tape the top
Remove gloves and immediately wash hands
You can contact Holler Harm Reduction to collect the containers or dispose of them at the Madison County Dump (remember to tell the staff that you are disposing of sharps).
What if I’m looking for treatment options?
You can always reach out to Holler Harm Reduction for information and referrals to evidence-based treatment options. We will also provide referrals to individuals seeking Hep C/HIV testing, HIV/Hep C treatment, and who is pregnant and using substances. Please contact us directly for resources or if you are interested in being a resource.