At Maryville Integrated Care, we believe in treating everyone with kindness and respect, no matter what challenges they face. That’s why we’re proud to be a registered and authorized harm reduction center in Burlington County. Harm reduction is about helping people stay safe and healthy while dealing with substance use. It meets people where they are and provides tools and support to reduce risks, save lives, and improve futures.
What Is Harm Reduction?
Harm reduction is a way to reduce the dangers of substance use and help people stay safe. It doesn’t require them to quit drugs right away – instead, it gives them tools to stay healthy until they’re ready for more changes. Harm reduction includes providing lifesaving tools like naloxone (Narcan) to reverse overdoses, clean supplies to prevent infections, and education about safer practices. It also connects people to healthcare, housing, and a supportive environment where they feel accepted. At its core, harm reduction is about treating everyone with care and respect.
New Jersey Harm Reduction Services
Our registered and authorized New Jersey harm reduction center is a safe place for people who need help. We provide multiple services with the New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition.
- Overdose prevention tools: Free naloxone to reverse overdoses and fentanyl test strips to identify dangerous substances.
- Clean supplies: Sterile syringes and tools to lower the risk of infections like HIV and hepatitis C. We also offer safe disposal for used supplies to protect communities.
- Healthcare access: Connections to HIV and hepatitis C testing, addiction treatment, mental health care, and housing support.
- Supportive environment: A nonjudgmental space where people can seek help without shame or stigma. Our staff provides care tailored to each client’s unique situation.
These services are here to keep people safe and help them feel supported as they take steps toward health and recovery.
How a Harm Reduction Center Helps
Harm reduction saves lives and improves health. Studies show that people who use harm reduction services are:
- Five times more likely to start addiction treatment.
- Three times more likely to reduce or stop harmful drug use.
- 50% less likely to get diseases like HIV or hepatitis C.
- More likely to survive an overdose and connect with long-term support.
Harm reduction works because it focuses on dignity, providing the tools people need to stay alive and healthy.
The Overdose Crisis
The overdose crisis has sadly taken a toll on communities in New Jersey and across the U.S. In 2023, almost 3,000 people in New Jersey died from overdoses – about seven lives lost each day. In the United States, it was over 100,000 lives. Harm reduction centers like ours work to change that.
At Maryville Integrated Care, we provide tools like naloxone, clean supplies, and supportive care to prevent overdoses and connect people to treatment when they’re ready. These harm reduction services are part of a larger effort to treat addiction as a health issue and reduce stigma, contributing to the fight against overdose. By helping individuals stay safe, we also create healthier, stronger communities.
Compassion and Care at Maryville Integrated Care Harm Reduction Program
Harm reduction goes beyond tools and supplies. It’s about treating people respectfully and empathetically. At Maryville Integrated Care, we create a welcoming space where people can get help without fear of judgment. Our harm reduction program services support people at any stage, offering the care they need to achieve a fresh start.
We believe everyone deserves a chance to have a better future. Whether it’s providing lifesaving naloxone, connecting people to healthcare, or offering a kind word, our harm reduction program is here to make a difference.
Contact us today for more information about our harm reduction program and how we can help you or someone you care about.