Ohio's Evidence Based Harm Reduction Program

Budget: $6,000,000

The Ohio Department of Health proposes to implement a project under Category 2 to provide evidence-based substance use disorder treatment, such as MAT, as well as harm reduction services in local communities.  100% of the proposed funding will be allocated to this allowable use. 

This proposal meets the Department of Justice’s priority consideration 1(A) because funded sites will be required to conduct activities to address unintentional drug overdose deaths in underserved communities (see justification starting on page 11 of the project narrative).

The proposed project seeks to reduce unintentional drug overdose deaths in six geographically diverse counties by implementing the following activities:

Expansion of evidence-based harm reduction activities to Black and Hispanic populations.  This will include the provision of harm reduction services (e.g., naloxone, etc.) and education in high-burden zip codes to ensure the highest-risk underserved populations are being reached. Potential outreach sites include barbershops/salons, churches, colleges, bars, shelters, homeless encampments, and other locations to be determined. 

Improving access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) within existing Syringe Service Programs (SSPs). Sites funded under this project will be required to work with local providers to improve access to MAT, specifically buprenorphine, for SSP clients. 

Providing harm reduction services to those leaving local or regional jails.  Funded counties will be required to provide evidence-based harm reduction services to those leaving local or regional jails within the selected counties.

To implement this project, ODH will contract with a researcher to assist with the development of the project action plan and to conduct an evaluation of the three proposed activities for each site.