Harm reduction van put on the road in bid to cut deaths

A MOBILE harm reduction van has been put on the road in a bid to help tackle drug deaths.

The support unit has been set up by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Harm Reduction Response Team ( HaRRT) to reach people who are not yet accessing treatment and care services.

Operating in locations in Renfrewshire it will provide free supply and disposal of injecting equipment, blood testing, wound first aid and training and distribution of Naloxone, used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

The van is staffed with professionals able to offer advice on treatment and support services.

John Campbell, injecting equipment provision manager for Alcohol and Drug Recovery Services at NHSGGC, said:

“Every drug death within our communities is one too many.

“Alcohol and drugs can have a severe impact on people’s lives if they do not have support or access to the relevant care services available to them.

“HaRRT provides a safe and confidential environment within the community and will help signpost users to treatment programmes that can assist with addiction issues.

“Having this service available in Renfrewshire will be a welcome addition to the services already in place across the area.”

The van is intended to go out to places to reach people not getting help or treatment for their drug problem.

Karen Reynolds, service manager for Renfrewshire’s Alcohol and Drugs Recovery Service, said: “Unfortunately, sometimes those most in need are not always in the care of services so the hope is that HaRRT will begin to bridge this gap and connect people into treatment.”