Ohio Department of Health recommends: Provide access to sterile syringes
Most people know the CDC recommends syringe programs to reduce the spread of HIV and hepatitis. But few realize that the Ohio Department of Health also made a strong recommendation along these lines in October. The Licking County Board of Health vote to outlaw syringe programs is out of step with state and federal health authorities.
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HRO President Dennis Cauchon on InFocus talking about syringe programs and reducing hepatitis
Harm Reduction Ohio President Dennis Cauchon appeared on Spectrum News 1's InFocus show to talk about the recent outbreak of hepatitis in Columbus and other parts of Ohio and the role syringe programs play in controlling these outbreaks. The news channel is a service...
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Overdose deaths soar among blacks in Ohio
The rate of black overdose deaths is now nearly identical to that of whites. This epidemic is no longer mostly a white thing. What’s driving the increase in black deaths? Is race playing a role in government’s response to this epidemic vs. crack cocaine in the 1980s?
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“Heroine of Heroin” Tracey Helton will be a featured speaker at Harm Reduction Ohio’s “Family Matters” conference
Come meet Tracey Helton Mitchell, an Ohio native turned San Francisco heroin addict turned harm reduction legend.
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Newspaper editorial: “Licking County Health Board’s needle exchange vote was cowardly.”
The Newark (Ohio) Advocate newspaper published this editorial today under the headline: "Our view: Licking County Health Board's needle exchange vote was cowardly." A public body that is supposed to be looking out for the overall health of the community should invite...
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Licking County health board rejects syringe program in unannounced vote
Harm Reduction Ohio challenges quickie vote as violation of Ohio open meetings law. Licking County, outside of Columbus, becomes the largest Ohio county to ban syringe programs. It overrode the recommendation of its health commissioner. Harm Reduction Ohio will seek to invalidate the vote.
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Be afraid: Fentanyl-laced cocaine on the rise in Ohio — again
Latest lab tests show fentanyl in more than 10% of cocaine Good news: deadly carfentanil has not returned to cocaine The share of cocaine containing fentanyl appears to have risen sharply in recent months, reversing a sharp drop in fentanyl-laced cocaine and...
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Where is fentanyl added to cocaine? Mostly in Ohio. Result: 3,000 dead.
A new Harm Reduction Ohio study shows fentanyl adulteration of cocaine — a phenomenon that’s killed killed 3,000 Ohioans — is happening here, at the bottom of the supply chain, not in Mexico or South America.
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Why have overdose deaths fallen in Ohio? One reason: Carfentanil has vanished
Carfentanil came, killed, left. The reason overdose deaths have fallen sharply in Ohio can be attributed to a singular cause: carfentanil has nearly vanished from Ohio's illegal drug supply. The charts in this article will explain why. It's important to understand...
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What Is Harm Reduction?
Harm reduction is a philosophy that supports drug policies based on science, compassion, health and human rights.
It uses pragmatic strategies that meet drug users “where they’re at” and all positive changes, even incremental ones. Harm reduction supports safer use of drugs — syringe programs, safe consumption sites and methadone, for example — and empowering people to live happy, healthy lives .
We believe in treating all people, including drug users, with respect and without stigma. We oppose criminalizing drugs and drug users.
Contact Harm Reduction Ohio
How much fentanyl will kill you?
A lot less than you think.
Be careful. Be very, very careful.
Art by Hannah Weatherington
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What is harm reduction?
Dennis Cauchon
President, Harm Reduction Ohio
Dennis is the founder of Harm Reduction Ohio. He created the 501(c)3 non-profit organization to advocate for drug policies that reduce overdose death, imprisonment and other drug war harms.
He is a former national reporter at USA TODAY and Knight Journalism Fellow at the University of Michigan Medical School. During his 35-year journalism career, he won various awards, including the Champion of Justice award and H.L. Mencken Award for Investigative Journalism for work on the drug war.
“I believe all people, including drug users, should be treated peacefully and with respect,” he says.
Dennis is the father of two boys and lives in Granville, Ohio.
Taylor Bennett
Director of Advocacy
Taylor has a master of science degree in human development and family sciences from the University of Wyoming. She’s won multiple awards for academic excellence and received her undergraduate degree at Morehead State University in her native Kentucky. (Go Eagles!:)
Taylor is married to her college sweetheart, who she’s known since pre-school. She has two adorable boys and divides her time between Columbus and Greenfield, Ohio.
Best Interest of the Children
Four short videos on Issue 1
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