Engaging Faith Leaders in Harm Reduction Programming - Michelle Mathis Executive Director Olive Branch Ministry
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Engaging Faith Leaders
in
Harm Reduction Programming
Michelle Mathis
Executive Director
Olive Branch MinistrySubmitting Questions and Comments
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2Olive Branch Ministry
● Founded in 2009 by Rev. Michelle Mathis
and Min. Karen Lowe
● Became a nonprofit in 2015
● Serves 10 counties in the
Piedmont/Foothills region of NC
● Provides:
○ Faith-based harm reduction services
○ Syringe Access, Overdose Prevention
○ Low-barrier Suboxone
○ Low-barrier Hep C treatment
○ Overdose Response Team
○ Jail-based education and support
○ Linkage to Care
○ Peer Support
○ Holistic Approach
■ Yoga/Meditation
■ Art/Music therapy (peer led)
■ Non-traditional support groups
Image Credits:
Olive Branch MinistryMeaningful Engagement
Olive Branch is committed to meaningful
engagement with people who use drugs.
Our hope is to build to trusting relationships through
peer support and a process of mutual learning.
We celebrate any positive change as success.
We practice holistic harm reduction that
honors an individual's experience.
Recognizing that each person is the expert in their own journey,
Olive Branch is honored to serve as a resource, not an authority.Today’s Objectives ● The basics of Harm Reduction ● The importance of engaging people at a level they feel comfortable ● How stigma can be a barrier to engagement ● Practical ways to involve the faith community in harm reduction efforts
What Is Harm Reduction? Harm reduction refers to policies, programs, and practices that aim to minimize negative health, social, and legal impacts associated with drug use, drug policies, and drug laws. Harm reduction is grounded in justice and human rights – it focuses on positive change and on working with people without judgement, coercion, discrimination, or requiring that they stop using drugs as a precondition of support.
What Is Harm Reduction? (H)arm (R)eduction (h)arm (r)eduction A movement for social A set of practical strategies justice built on a belief and ideas aimed at in, and respect for, the reducing negative rights of people who consequences use drugs. associated with drug use.
What Is Harm Reduction?
• Reducing harm is associated with high-
risk behaviors to improve quality of life.
• It involves many programs, policies, and
practices.
• It celebrates the values of incremental
gains.
• It is about dignity, compassion, and hope.
• It looks different for each individual.
Image Credits:
Olive Branch Ministry
• It is a philosophy....What Harm Reduction is NOT
● Anything goes
● Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
● A hook to get people to treatment
● A direct path to abstinence
● Anti-abstinence
Image Credits:
National Harm Reduction CoalitionIs Harm Reduction Enabling?
YES!
(let me explain…)The Harm Reduction Approach
Harm reduction utilizes a spectrum of strategies to reduce the
negative consequences associated with drug use, sex work,
and other behaviors.
SAFER MANAGED
ABSTINENCE
TECHNIQUES USEExamples of Risk Reduction Strategies
OVERDOSE
SAFER
SYRINGE PREVENTION
CONSUMPTION HOUSING FIRST
ACCESS AND NALOXONE
SITES
DISTRIBUTION
DRUG
MEDICATION
CHECKING AND
WOUND CARE FOR OPIOID USE SPIRITUAL CARE
FENTANYL TEST
DISORDER
STRIPSCompassionate Care
Calls for the non-
judgmental, non-coercive
provision of services and
resources to people who
use drugs and the
communities in which
they live in order to assist
them in reducing
attendant harm. Image Credits:
National Harm Reduction CoalitionPragmatic and Realistic
Does not attempt to
minimize or ignore the
real and tragic harm and
danger associated with
licit and illicit drug use or
other risk behaviors.
Image Credits:
National Harm Reduction CoalitionEvidence-Based Understands substance use as a complex phenomenon encompassing a continuum of behaviors, promotes reality-based and culturally competent drug education, and supports scientific strategies for reducing health risks associated with substance use.
Multiple Pathways to Healing Acknowledges that healing encompasses an individual’s whole life, including mind, body, spirit, and community, values self-determination, and supports people in crafting their own unique paths to positive change.
Stigma Is a Barrier to Care ● Science has proven that substance use disorder is a chronic brain disease that can be managed with medical treatment. It is NOT a moral failing or a character flaw. ● Addiction is highly stigmatized, and that stigma is fueling an American public health crisis.
Stigma Is a Barrier to Care
● Addiction is a public health
epidemic.
● Stigma isolates people.
● Stigma discourages people
from seeking treatment.
● Stigma even impacts how
health professionals treat
patients.Stick and Stones...Words do Hurt
● Humanity before disease or behavior.
● Ask how an individual wishes to be addressed.
● Use person-first language, while respecting identity-first language.
● Using clinical or justice-related terminology is acceptable, as long as it
is not stigmatizing or prejudiced.
Don’t Say: Instead, Say:
Addict Person with substance use disorder
Alcoholic Person with alcohol use disorder
Drug problem, drug habit Substance use disorder
Drug Abuse Drug misuse, harmful use
Drug Abuser Person with substance use disorder
Clean Abstinent, not actively/currently using
Dirty Actively using
A clean drug screen Testing positive for substance use
Former/reformed addict/alcoholic Person in recovery, person in long-term recovery
Opioid replacement, methadone/buprenorphine Medication assisted recovery (MAR)
maintenance Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD)
Relapse Reinitiate UsePerson-First Language
● You can reduce stigma, and help save
lives, just by changing your language.
● You can help reverse harmful
stereotypes about addiction, improving
access to care and support for people
affected by this disease.
● Person-first language is proven to
reduce stigma and improve treatment.Video Credits: Olive Branch Ministry Audio used with permission from Artist
Stigma as a Barrier to Faith
•Change begins with
Leadership.
•Words Matter.
•Service without requiring
a Theological
Conversation or
Commitment is Key.Harm Reduction for Every Congregation •The introduction of Harm Reduction to congregations needs to reflect their interests and level of comfort.
Traditional & Non-Traditional Supports
• Support groups for:
• Families who are directly impacted
• Grief support groups
• 12-step/Celebrate recovery
• People in active addiction
• Educational opportunities
• Harm Reduction as a ministryMedication Take Back •Bulletin inserts •Newsletters •Basic opioid facts •Coordinate with law enforcement
Supply Drives - Kit Making Gatherings -
Blessing of the Naloxone
•Supply drives
•Wound care kits
•Syringe exchange kits
Image Credits:
Faith in Harm ReductionTransportation Opportunities •Church van or bus •Volunteers •Transportation to medication- assisted recovery clinic, therapy, or visitation with child
Peer & Volunteer Led Group Activities
•Art Therapy
•Music Therapy
•Yoga/Exercise
•Pet Therapy
•Game Night
Image Credits:
Olive Branch MinistryNaloxone Training/Kit Making Fellowship
•Hold a basic Naloxone 101 and Overdose Awareness event
•Ask attendees to put together naloxone reversal kits
•Think outside the “box”
Image Credits:
Olive Branch MinistrySyringe Services in Partnership
with Harm Reduction Efforts
●Promotes the building of trusting
relationships with people who use
drugs
●Increased availability of clean needles
likely reduces HIV infection. (WHO)
●There is no evidence of negative
consequences. (WHO)
●The programs are cost-effective.
●People who participate in
Image Credits:
syringe exchange programs Olive Branch Ministry
are 5x more like to enter
an abstinence-based treatment
program. (CDC)National Faith in Harm Reduction Movement
Our Mission:
Co-create a healing justice
movement in partnership with
faith communities and people
who use drugs to develop
resources that center harm
reduction messages, principles,
and practices.
Image Credits: Faith in Harm ReductionSubmitting Questions and Comments
Submit questions by using the Q&A feature.
To open your Q&A window, click on the
Q&A icon on the bottom center of your
Zoom window.
32Thank you
The purpose of RCORP is to support treatment for and prevention of
substance use disorder, including opioid use disorder, in rural counties at the
highest risk for substance use disorder.
Michelle Mathis:
www.olivebranchministry.org
828.291.7023You can also read
