Harm Reduction & Overdose Prevention

At The Juju Foundation, we believe that every life is valuable and that health, dignity, and compassion must be at the center of our response to substance use. Our Harm Reduction & Overdose Prevention program is built on evidence-based strategies that meet individuals where they are, without judgment, and provide tools to stay safe, alive, and supported.

Rooted in the legacy of Julia Garcia and guided by those most impacted, we believe that survival is resistance, and that harm reduction is essential public health. 

What We Offer

We provide free, low-barrier access to essential harm reduction tools, health education, and overdose prevention support thorugh our fixed locations, mobile units, pop-up events, and community partnerships. Our weekly outreach includes: 

1. Naloxone (Narcan): Both intranasal and intramuscular formulations to reverse opioid overdoses.

2. Fentanyl Test Strips: To detect fentanyl in unregulated substances and reduce the risk of overdose.

3. Sterile Syringes & Safe Injection Supplies: To prevent transmission of HIV, Hepatitis C, and other infections.

4. Sharps Containers: For safe disposal of used syringes and injection equipment.

5. Condoms & Safer Sex Kits: To support sexual health and reduce transmission of STIs.

6. Wound Care & Hygiene Kits: Including alcohol wipes, bandages, hand sanitizer, and menstrual supplies.

7. Education & Referrals: Peer-delivered guidance on safer use, overdose prevention, and pathways to care.

Our Services

Weekly Outreach with Naloxone Distribution and Training
Every week, our outreach team is on the ground in communities most impacted by substance use. We distribute free naloxone (Narcan) — a life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdoses — along with hands-on training for individuals, families, and community members. These interactions also serve as entry points for broader support, including referrals to treatment, housing, and mental health services. 

Mobile Harm Reduction Units for Underserved Neighborhoods
Our mobile harm reduction vans bring critical resources directly to neighborhoods that face systemic barriers to care. These units offer safer use supplies, hygiene kits, overdose prevention tools, and confidential health information. By building trust through consistent presence, we create safer environments and reduce the harms associated with substance use.

Substance Use Safety Workshops in Schools and Colleges
We partner with local high schools, colleges, and universities to facilitate open, age-appropriate conversations about substance use, peer pressure, and harm reduction. Our interactive workshops equip young people with practical tools, knowledge, and resources to make informed decisions and support peers in crisis. 

The Principles We Follow

Our program is grounded in the National Harm Reduction Principles, which shape every aspect of our work: 

1. Respect for Autonomy: People have the right to make decisions about their own bodies and health.

2. Dignity and Nonjudgment: We meet people without shame, coercion, or conditions.

3. Survival First: We prioritize keeping people alive, healthy, and connected, abstinence is not a prerequisite for care.

4. Lived Experience as Expertise: Those directly impacted lead and shape our programs.

5. Intersectionality: We understand that harm is rooted in racism, poverty, criminalization, and systemic oppression.

6. Access and Equity: We reduce barriers and build inclusive services for all, especially the most marginalized.

7. Community Power: We believe in collective care and building safety through mutual aid and solidarity.

Our Approach

We follow the principles laid out in our 2025 Strategic Plan: 

1. Community-Centered Care: Our programs are co-designed with people who use drugs and rooted in their lived experience. 

2. Cultural Humility and Anti-Stigma Practices: We actively challenge the stigma surrounding substance use and prioritize equity in all services.

3. Data-Informed, Person-Led Support: We collect meaningful feedback and track outcomes to continuously improve our services. 

4. Crisis Response Integration: We collaborate with first responders and health professionals to ensure overdose prevention is part of emergency planning and response. 

Why It Matters

Overdose remains the leading cause of death for people under 50 in the U.S., and the crisis disproportionately impacts Black, Indigenous, Latinx, queer, unhoused, and low-income communities. Yet many people still face stigma, criminalization, and barriers to basic care.

Harm reduction saves lives, not someday, but today.

We are here to ensure that:

1. No one dies from a preventable overdose.

2. People have the tools to stay safe and the right to be treated with dignity.

3. Young people receive real, honest education about drugs and safety.

4. Survival is celebrated, and healing is possible.

Our work honors the memory of Julia Garcia and the thousands of lives cut short by systemic neglect and stigma. We believe in a world where care is unconditional and harm reduction is a human right.

Get Involved

You can join us in the fight for survival and dignity: 

1. Volunteer for out or kit assembly. 

2. Attend a training to learn how to use Naloxone. 

3. Partner with us to bring services to your school, shelter, or community center. 

4. Donate to support our life-saving work. 

For more information or to request supplies, email us at connect@thejujufoundation.com